WASHINGTON — President Trump expressed skepticism over Republican New York City mayoral contender Curtis Sliwa’s plan to bring his cats into Gracie Mansion, saying the idea struck him as “purr-posterous.”
Speaking in a pre-taped interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said he has not yet decided whether to involve himself in the race.
“Is he really a Republican? Am I a big fan?” Trump asked. “This isn’t exactly ideal, where he wants to make Gracie Mansion a home for the cats. Gracie Mansion is the magnificent home of Fiorello La Guardia and the great mayors, [like] Rudy Giuliani.”
Trump and Sliwa have not spoken in over a decade, though the mayoral hopeful has indicated he would try to repair their frosty rapport amid what he calls a “love-hate relationship.” Their last known conversation occurred on Dec. 24, 2013, when Sliwa hosted Trump on his radio program.
“Anyone who watched the debate saw that I praised President Trump for what he got right while making clear that I will always put New Yorkers first,” Sliwa told The Post in response to Trump’s comments. “As for the cats, I’m proud of the lifesaving work my wife Nancy and rescuers across New York do every day to protect animals in distress.”
Trump is the first modern-era president not to have a pet in the White House, following in the footsteps of James Polk and Andrew Johnson.
Three weeks ahead of the Nov. 4 election, Trump said he is still weighing whether to make an endorsement. “I don’t know that I’m going to get involved,” he said. “I’ll make a decision soon. I don’t want to be endorsing Democrats as an example. That’s not my thing. But would you rather endorse a Democrat than a communist? Barely. Because they’re almost the same thing.”
The president also criticized Democratic mayoral candidate Zohram Mamdani, calling him “pretty slick” but adding, “He doesn’t have what it takes. The city will be in big trouble.”
Trump has hinted that former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) may be the best chance to challenge Mamdani, who is currently leading in the polls. However, Trump has yet to endorse Cuomo due to their strained history. Cuomo allies, as well as some Republicans, have urged Sliwa to drop out and clear the path for the former governor.
Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has refused to leave the race, even as outgoing Mayor Eric Adams recently opted not to run again.
“Now [Cuomo’s] saying, ‘I can’t win without Sliwa votes.’ Where are your votes?!” Sliwa said on YouTube’s The Nate Friedman Show. “Go out and get your own votes.” He also noted that Cuomo lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, a result that set the stage for the current mayoral contest.