Andrew Cuomo denies coordination with Trump in NYC mayoral race, insists it was just speculation
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Andrew Cuomo is insisting he was just speculating when he recently told donors that he believes President Donald Trump will try to convince Republicans to help boost his campaign in the race for New York City mayor.
The president has made it no secret that he's against frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, and reaction was strong to Cuomo's statement, especially after he's boasted that only he could politically battle Trump.
"We stand with these workers today. We stand with these workers tomorrow," Mamdani said.
The Democratic socialist frontrunner rallied Wednesday with angry hotel workers shut out of their union jobs on the Upper East Side and continued to hammer Andrew Cuomo over the former governor's reported overtures to President Trump.
"To speak to that administration with the intent of subverting the will of Democratic voters, it speaks to what you are comfortable with, what you are willing to coordinate with," Mamdani said. "What we want in New York is courage."
Cuomo denies discussing the mayoral race with the president but apparently believes Trump is so determined to stop Mamdani that the president is willing to back him, over Republican Curtis Sliwa.
According to Politico, Cuomo told donors in Southampton that Sliwa will "never be a serious candidate," and "Trump himself, as well as top Republicans, will say the goal is to stop Mamdani, and you'll be wasting your vote on Sliwa."
Sliwa, himself, says Cuomo should make up his mind.
"He's in The Hamptons on the weekends, talking to Democrats who support Republicans, telling them, 'Oh, no, no, no, Trump's going to support me.' Then he comes back into the city, says, 'No, no, no, I'll be the guy to take on Trump.' I'm serious," Sliwa said.
Mayor Eric Adams is taking his own shot.
"Andrew Cuomo is looking to Washington for help to become mayor of New York. I'm looking at you," he said.
Cuomo says he would decline a Trump endorsement.
"We're not asking for or expecting help from anyone," said Cuomo's spokesperson.
But Cuomo reportedly told the donors, "I believe there will be opportunities to actually cooperate with him. I also believe that he's not going to want to fight with me in New York if he can avoid it."
On Wednesday, Sliwa told Eyewitness News the president should stay out of it.
"I would say be neutral like Switzerland," he said. "Let us run, let the people decide who the next mayor is. And, by the way, nobody's dropping out."
For the moment, Sliwa is right, but this is a mayoral campaign like no other, with more than two months left to go.
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