Former President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa as a serious contender to lead New York City, mockingly invoking Sliwa’s public affection for cats during an interview on Fox & Friends.
"Look, I'm a Republican, but Curtis is not exactly prime time," Trump said on the morning program, adding, "He wants cats to be in Gracie Mansion… We don't need thousands of cats." The comments came after hosts asked whether longshot candidates should withdraw to prevent Democratic Socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani from moving into Gracie Mansion.
Trump and some of his allies have stepped into the crowded mayoral contest in unusual fashion, according to people familiar with the matter, seeking to shape the field so the race narrows to a one-on-one contest between Mamdani and the most viable challenger. On Friday, Trump said he believed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo might be best positioned in a head-to-head matchup against Mamdani, and he questioned the electability of both Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who were polling in third and fourth place in some surveys.
Sliwa, who won the Republican nomination, did not retreat from his well-known advocacy for animal welfare. In a statement issued after Trump’s remarks, Sliwa said New Yorkers "care for people and for animals, and so do I," and praised his wife Nancy for her work fostering and saving animals. He said his mayoral goals include improving animal welfare, tackling affordability, cleaning up the city, improving quality of life, and being tough on crime, and pledged to make Gracie Mansion "the People's House where we address the issues New Yorkers care about."
Sliwa has previously drawn attention for remarks about the mayoral residence. When he unsuccessfully challenged Adams in the 2021 general election, Sliwa told New York Magazine that Gracie Mansion "is easily roomed for 60 cats," a remark that has been repeated in coverage of his campaign and drew renewed attention after Trump’s comments.
The exchange highlights an uncommon intervention by Trump and his allies into a municipal contest in the nation's largest city. Political strategists and local observers have noted the potential implications for voter dynamics should prominent figures attempt to consolidate the field, but Trump’s public dismissal of Sliwa underscored divisions within conservative ranks about who could best challenge Manhattan’s left-leaning candidates.
Trump and Sliwa have a long, often contentious relationship that has mixed public praise with criticism. Sliwa’s campaign response emphasized policy priorities and his focus on citywide issues, reiterating an emphasis on public safety, affordability and quality-of-life initiatives while maintaining his stance on animal welfare.
