Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, has made it clear that he would reject any endorsement from President Donald Trump in the upcoming New York City mayoral race.
This stance comes amid discussions suggesting that Trump should back Cuomo to counter the candidacy of Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified Muslim communist. Cuomo's comments were made during an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, where he expressed openness to support from a broad spectrum of political affiliations, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
"I would welcome his support," Cuomo stated, referring to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who recently suspended his campaign. "Id welcome big-tent support," he added.
According to Gateway Pundit, when pressed by Welker about the possibility of accepting an endorsement from President Trump, Cuomo was quick to dismiss the idea. "The tent isnt that big," he remarked, emphasizing the limitations of his political alliances.
"I have not had a conversation, nor would I accept an endorsement from President Trump," he asserted. Despite Mamdani's current lead in the polls, the race has become more competitive following Adams' withdrawal. For Cuomo to secure a victory, he would likely need Curtis Silwa, the Republican candidate, to exit the race and subsequently attract a significant portion of the Republican electorate.
Cuomo, who is running as an independent after a significant defeat to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has characterized the election as a clear-cut decision between himself and Mamdani. "You know, its apples and oranges," he explained.
"We couldnt be more different. Im a mainstream Democrat. Hes a fringe Democrat." Cuomo also took issue with Trump's characterization of Mamdani as a communist, despite Mamdani's own acknowledgment of the label.
"He has said, basically, if Mamdani wins the election, that he would President Trump would basically have to take control of New York, because Mamdani is not qualified," Cuomo lamented. "He calls him a communist and that hes anti-police, etcetera. So he said he would take over New York." Cuomo warned that such federal intervention would pose "an existential threat" to state and local governance.
While Cuomo may not be as radically left-leaning as Mamdani, his tenure as governor was marred by controversy. Serving from 2011 until his resignation in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo's management of the COVID-19 pandemic drew significant criticism.
His administration's stringent lockdowns, mask and vaccine mandates, and the decision to send elderly patients back to nursing homes, which resulted in numerous deaths, have been points of contention. Currently, Cuomo is under investigation by the Department of Justice for allegedly providing false testimony regarding his pandemic response.
As the mayoral race unfolds, Cuomo's challenge lies in navigating a complex political landscape, where gaining support from a diverse voter base is crucial. The outcome will hinge on his ability to distance himself from past controversies while presenting a viable alternative to Mamdani's candidacy.
Login