‘Kathy, call me’: Trump lashes out at NY governor with bizarre backhanded offer
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
May 16, 2026
President Donald Trump lashed out at New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday after she criticized the Trump administration for its labor policies, while also issuing the Democratic governor a backhanded offer to help.
The feud between Trump and Hochul was sparked by the closure of the Long Island Rail Road after workers went on strike early Saturday morning. Hochul said the strike was sparked, in part, by the Trump administration’s “reckless actions to cut mediation short.” Trump pushed back on Hochul’s criticisms, claiming he wasn’t even aware of the labor dispute until Saturday morning.
“Failed New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, a Dumacrat, just blamed ME for her Long Island Railroad STRIKE, when she knows, full well, that I have NOTHING TO DO WITH IT - never even heard about it until this morning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“She just blurted out, ‘it’s President Trump’s fault.’ No, Kathy, it’s your fault, and now looking over the facts, you should not have allowed this to happen. If you can’t solve it, let me know, and I’ll show you how to properly get things done. Kathy, call me if you can’t do it, I will get it done – I know all the players, great people!!!”
Trump also slipped an endorsement into his attack on Hochul for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, who he claimed would lower taxes for New Yorkers and reduce crime.
“He should be your next Governor and New York State would turn around fast, including far less Crime, and much lower taxes!!!” Trump wrote.