President Donald Trump mocked Republican New York City mayoral candidate Curtin Sliwa Sunday for his admiration for cats, refusing to endorse him in the race and alleging he intended on turning the governor’s mansion into a refuge for felines.
Sliwa is running to defeat former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, but has struggled in the race and polled at a distant third, with Mamdani showing a strong double-digit lead.
Trump was asked by Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo Saturday if he would consider making an endorsement in the race, specifically if he would endorse Sliwa, whose affinity for cats is well documented, having once owned 17 at once.
“Well, I don't know. Is he really a Republican, am I a big fan? This isn't exactly ideal where he wants to make Gracie Mansion a home for the cats,” Trump said, referencing New York City’s historic residence for New York City’s mayors. “Gracie Mansion is a magnificent home of Fiorello La Guardia, and the great mayor Rudy Giuliani, Giuliana was the greatest mayor in the history of New York, he did a great job!”
On whether he would endorse Mamdani’s next-highest polling opponent Cuomo – who resigned from office amid allegations of sexual abuse – Trump said it wasn’t his “thing” to endorse Democrats, but warned that under Mamdani, New York City would “be in big trouble.”
“I don't know that I'm going to get involved,” Trump said. "I watched [Mamdani] a couple of times be interviewed, and he’s pretty slick, but he doesn't have what it takes. The city will be in big trouble.”