Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg argued Tuesday that rival Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Democratic socialist” label and policies would make it “difficult” for him to defeat President Trump in the 2020 election.

“I think it would be very difficult, and it’s not just because of the labels,” the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., told NBC’s “Today,” referring to Sanders calling himself a “Democratic socialist.” “It’s because of the approach.”

“When you look at what he’s proposing in terms of the budget, all the things he’s put forward and how to pay for them, there’s a $25 trillion hole in how to pay for everything he’s put forward,” the presidential hopeful continued.

The interview aired as New Hampshire voters headed to the polls for the first-in-the-nation primary election, with Sanders leading the polls and Buttigieg in second place.

Sanders, of Vermont, has touted his Medicare-for-all health care plan, backs increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and has spoken in favor of guaranteed tuition at public colleges and universities.

Asked during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” if he could overcome being labeled a “socialist” by Trump and others, Sanders said: “In many respects, we are a socialist society today.”

“Donald Trump, before he was president, as a private businessperson, he received $800 million in tax breaks and subsidies to build luxury housing in New York. … The difference between my socialism and Trump’s socialism is I believe the government should help working families, not billionaires,” Sanders continued.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News before the Super Bowl, called Sanders a “communist” and a “socialist.”

“I think he’s a communist. I mean, you know, look, I think of communism when I think of Bernie,” the president told Sean Hannity.

“I think of Bernie sort of as a socialist but far beyond a socialist,” Trump continued. “At least he’s true to what he believes.”