Trump Dismisses NYC GOP Mayoral Candidate Sliwa as ‘Not Prime Time’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump downplayed Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa’s chances in New York City, calling him “not exactly prime time.” Trump mocked Sliwa’s vow to house rescue cats in Gracie Mansion while suggesting Andrew Cuomo has the best chance to challenge Democrat Zohran Mamdani. Polls show Mamdani with a clear lead heading into November’s election.
Trump Dismisses Sliwa’s Mayoral Chances: Quick Looks
- Trump said GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa is “not exactly prime time.”
- He mocked Sliwa’s plan to fill Gracie Mansion with rescue cats.
- Trump warned that Zohran Mamdani could easily win unless rivals drop out.
- He suggested Andrew Cuomo could mount a stronger one-on-one challenge.
- Polls show Mamdani leading, with Cuomo the closest contender.
- Eric Adams, despite setbacks, says he is staying in the race.
- Sliwa defended his animal welfare focus, saying it resonates with New Yorkers.
- Adams’ campaign is commissioning a poll to assess his reelection prospects.
- Sliwa accused Trump of relying on outdated impressions about him.
- Cuomo, running as an independent, could benefit if Adams and Sliwa withdraw.
Trump Dismisses NYC GOP Mayoral Candidate Sliwa as ‘Not Prime Time’
Deep Look
President Donald Trump openly dismissed his party’s own New York City mayoral candidate, Curtis Sliwa, on Friday, questioning his electability and poking fun at his cat-friendly campaign promise. The remarks added fresh turbulence to a crowded race already dominated by Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani.
Trump: “Not Exactly Prime Time”
Appearing on Fox & Friends, Trump was blunt about his doubts. “I’m a Republican, but Curtis is not exactly prime time,” he said, referencing Sliwa’s long-shot bid.
Trump also mocked Sliwa’s pledge to turn Gracie Mansion, the official mayor’s residence, into a haven for rescue cats if elected.
“He wants cats to be in Gracie Mansion. We don’t need thousands of cats,” Trump quipped.
A Crowded, Complicated Race
The November 4 general election features an unusually tangled field. Mamdani, 33, secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary. Cuomo, however, reentered the race as an independent, while current Mayor Eric Adams also remains a candidate despite his administration being briefly overshadowed by a dismissed federal bribery case.
Trump warned that unless Adams or Sliwa bow out, Mamdani could coast to victory. He suggested that Cuomo, in a one-on-one matchup, might have the best shot at denying Mamdani the mayoralty.
Polls Favor Mamdani
Two recent polls underline Trump’s concerns:
- A New York Times/Siena College poll and a Quinnipiac University survey both showed Mamdani ahead of Cuomo, with Adams and Sliwa trailing behind.
- The Quinnipiac poll suggested Mamdani’s lead could narrow if Adams exits the race.
- The Times/Siena poll indicated that Mamdani’s margin would shrink further if both Adams and Sliwa withdraw, leaving Cuomo as the sole challenger.
Despite those numbers, Adams’ campaign insists he is committed to running. Spokesperson Todd Shapiro said Adams has “no intention” of leaving the race, though he is commissioning a new poll to measure his standing.
“He’s still very popular,” Shapiro said, adding that Adams will “run on a record of success.”
Sliwa Pushes Back
Sliwa, a veteran activist and founder of the Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol, pushed back against Trump’s remarks. In a radio interview on 710 WOR, he said the president seemed to be relying on outdated perceptions.
“I would hope the president would revisit my history, not only with him but in this city,” Sliwa said. The two outspoken New Yorkers both rose to prominence in the late 1970s, though Sliwa noted they haven’t spoken in years, possibly due to his criticism of Trump on his radio show and in past campaigns.
In an email statement, Sliwa defended his animal welfare advocacy. “New Yorkers care for people and for animals, and so do I,” he wrote, praising his wife Nancy for her lifelong work rescuing cats and dogs.
Sliwa, who shelters dozens of rescue cats in his own Manhattan apartment, argued Gracie Mansion could easily accommodate more.
“We’ll be able to house unwanted cats and dogs right on the lawn, the great lawn they have,” he said during a recent broadcast.
Cuomo Waiting in the Wings
For now, Mamdani remains the clear frontrunner, but Cuomo—buoyed by Trump’s comments and favorable polling scenarios—could become the most serious challenger if the race consolidates.
As the election nears, Trump’s public rebuke of Sliwa raises further questions about whether Republicans can rally behind their nominee, or whether Cuomo, despite his break with the Democratic Party, becomes the de facto alternative for voters seeking to block Mamdani.
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