ICYMI: Andrew M. Cuomo Joins CNBC’s Squawk Box
“The question is: who can protect New York from Trump? The answer is me. I’ve battled him before, and I can do it again.” - Andrew Cuomo
Watch the full interview here
Earlier today, Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box. The full transcript of the interview can be found below:
Full Transcript
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
Joining us now is independent candidate for mayor and a former New York state governor, Andrew Cuomo. I want to thank you for joining us. We’ve asked some of the other candidates on the broadcast as well, in terms of fair and balanced coverage.
Where are we in terms of your path to winning? Right now, Polymarket has Mamdani at 81%, you at 17%, Adams at 2%. There’s a question mark about Adams staying in. What happens with Sliwa? How does this all play out?
Gov. Cuomo:
Well, first, happy anniversary.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
Thank you, appreciate it.
Gov. Cuomo:
This is a much different race than the primary. It’s evolving. Between now and Election Day, a lot will happen. I feel very good, because it’s going to come down to a one-on-one choice: me versus Mamdani.
Rebecca Quick:
Because Eric Adams is saying he’s not dropping out.
Gov. Cuomo:
We’ll see what happens with Adams. But in reality, voters will see two viable candidates: me and Mamdani. And you could not have a more stark choice. Mamdani is a socialist. I am a Democrat. He’s anti-business, anti-public safety—that’s not New York. This is the business capital.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
Some polls suggest if it’s down to two, you’d have a real shot. But how do you get there? You’ve both asked Adams to drop out. There are headlines Trump may offer Adams a job. What do you think of that?
Gov. Cuomo:
I don’t know what that means, Andrew. But I do know there’s an alliance between Trump and Adams. Frankly, Adams would be in jail but for Trump.
Rebecca Quick:
Mamdani says you’re Trump’s choice.
Gov. Cuomo:
That’s ludicrous. If you’re a Republican, you’re praying for Mamdani to win. He’s the dream candidate. They’ll say Democrats have been taken over by socialists. His platform: disband the police, legalize prostitution, abolish jails, raise taxes, everything is free. That’s what they want to run against.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
So reports that Trump wants you to win are inaccurate?
Gov. Cuomo:
They’re separate things. Trump may want to help Adams exit gracefully, but Republicans want Mamdani. It would damage Democrats nationwide.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
Do Adams and Sliwa have to drop out for you to win?
Gov. Cuomo:
No. Practically, this becomes a two-person race. In primaries, candidates polling 8% wind up at 1%. People don’t waste votes. It will be me versus Mamdani. I’ll be talking about jobs, opportunity, and bringing businesses back. Mamdani’s message is the opposite: socialism, anti-police, anti-capitalism. That doesn’t sell in New York.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
He’s walked back some socialist positions. What do you make of that?
Gov. Cuomo:
You can’t take back what’s on tape or on Twitter. He’s trying to rebrand, but you can’t transform who you are. His words are clear: government should control the means of production, no private property ownership. That’s radical.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
No private ownership?
Gov. Cuomo:
That’s in the Democratic Socialist charter he signed. No private ownership of real estate—you couldn’t own your own home. That’s the American dream.
Rebecca Quick:
They’ve been hazy on separating from the charter.
Gov. Cuomo:
Exactly. Inconsistent. But he’s a Democratic Socialist. They’d like us to forget everything he’s said and everything the platform says. But life doesn’t work that way. He’s carrying their banner. I’m a Democrat—my father was a Democrat, I worked with Bill Clinton. Anti-business doesn’t work in New York City.
Rebecca Quick:
What would you do differently from Adams?
Gov. Cuomo:
First, on Trump: Republicans want Mamdani. Mamdani likes to pivot to Trump, but if he wins, let’s just call it Mayor Trump. Trump would take over New York. He’s already said Mamdani is incompetent. He would come in to “protect” public safety.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
National Guard?
Gov. Cuomo:
More than that. Forget the Guard. The federal government controls health, housing, funding. I’ve been in the Cabinet. Trump could de facto take over New York.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
So who can best protect New York from Trump?
Gov. Cuomo:
Me. I was governor, he was president. We battled through COVID. I know the federal government’s power. I can defend this city.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
What’s your relationship with Trump now?
Gov. Cuomo:
If we can avoid a fight, we will. We know each other’s strength. But if he tries to hurt New York, I’ll fight. If he can help New York, I’ll work with him.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
What happens with Curtis Sliwa?
Gov. Cuomo:
Non-viable candidates will be discounted. On Election Day, it comes down to Cuomo or Mamdani. Voters won’t waste their vote.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
When’s the ballot deadline?
Gov. Cuomo:
September 11.
Andrew Ross Sorkin:
So we’re almost there. Governor Cuomo, thank you for joining us.
Gov. Cuomo:
Thanks for having me. Happy anniversary.
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