In a fiery radio interview, Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for New York City mayor, found himself in a tense confrontation that revealed deep cracks in his campaign strategy.
According to Breitbart, the exchange, which unfolded on 77 WABC on Wednesday, showcased host Sid Rosenberg sharply criticizing Sliwa for fixating on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo instead of his primary opponent, socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, leading to a dramatic meltdown from the candidate.
The interview began with Sliwa joining host Sid Rosenberg on 77 WABC for what was expected to be a routine discussion about the mayoral race. However, tensions quickly surfaced as Rosenberg pointed out Sliwa’s apparent obsession with Cuomo, a former governor who is also in the race. Rosenberg noted that Sliwa had spoken for a full eight minutes without even mentioning Mamdani, his key rival in the election.
“So far, you’ve been on this show for eight minutes, and all you’ve talked about is Cuomo,” Rosenberg said, expressing frustration over the candidate’s focus. He added that despite their long friendship, he felt Sliwa was no longer campaigning against Mamdani. “I don’t feel like you’re running against Mamdani anymore. I really don’t,” Rosenberg emphasized during the heated segment.
As the interview progressed, Rosenberg grew more direct, observing that even after 10 minutes, Sliwa continued to discuss Cuomo rather than his main opponent. “Now we’re 10 minutes in, and you’re still talking about Cuomo. What’s wrong with you?” Rosenberg asked pointedly. He urged Sliwa to shift his attention to Mamdani, warning that this misstep could cost him dearly in the race.
Rosenberg didn’t hold back, cautioning Sliwa about the potential consequences of ignoring his primary challenger. “You’ve got to beat Mamdani,” he insisted, dismissing Sliwa’s focus on Cuomo as irrelevant to the bigger picture. “You’re going to lose, and you’re going to lose badly,” Rosenberg predicted, highlighting the stakes of the election.
Sliwa, visibly shaken by the critique, responded with emotion, raising personal concerns during the interview. “Let me tell you — I’m talking to WABC now. I’m hurt,” he began, addressing the station directly. “I have armed security guards now protecting my life, and Nancy’s life,” Sliwa added, referring to his wife.
Sliwa also made startling claims about facing external pressures to abandon his candidacy. “I’ve been bribed by the billionaires to drop out of here,” he alleged, without providing specific details. He further warned that if anything happened to him or his wife due to the intense scrutiny, he would hold some at WABC responsible.
The exchange grew more contentious when Rosenberg referenced a prior discussion about forming a coalition with Cuomo, which he claimed Sliwa had acknowledged as sound advice. Sliwa, however, denied ever agreeing with such a suggestion. “Don’t put words in my mouth,” he shot back, rejecting Rosenberg’s recollection of their earlier talks.
In the aftermath of the interview, Sliwa made a bold statement about his future interactions with the station. According to the New York Post, he declared he would “never” return to WABC’s studios, regardless of how the election turns out. This decision underscored the depth of his frustration with the on-air confrontation. John Catsimatidis, the owner of WABC, also commented on the situation surrounding Sliwa’s campaign. He clarified that he has “never asked” Sliwa to withdraw from the mayoral race. However, Catsimatidis admitted that he has heard from many others who believe Sliwa should step aside.
Recent polling data paints a challenging picture for Sliwa’s campaign as the election approaches. A survey by Patriot Polling, as reported by Breitbart News’s John Binder, showed stark divides among NYC voters. Among foreign-born voters, Mamdani led with 62% support, followed by Cuomo at 24%, and Sliwa trailing at just 12%.
The same poll revealed different trends among U.S.-born NYC voters, though Sliwa still lagged. Cuomo held a lead with 40% support, while Mamdani garnered 31%, and Sliwa managed only 25%. These numbers suggest Sliwa faces significant obstacles in gaining traction among diverse voter groups.
The radio interview and subsequent fallout highlight deeper issues within Sliwa’s campaign strategy. His apparent fixation on Cuomo, as criticized by Rosenberg, may be alienating voters who are more focused on other candidates like Mamdani. This incident could further complicate Sliwa’s efforts to build a broad coalition in a competitive race.
As the mayoral race intensifies, Sliwa’s public disputes and personal allegations add layers of uncertainty to his candidacy. His claims of threats and bribes, coupled with his refusal to return to WABC, may shape public perception in unpredictable ways. Whether these developments will sway voters or further erode his support remains to be seen.