Curtis Sliwa says he was offered $10 million to exit NYC mayoral race
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa claims he was offered $10 million by unnamed billionaires to drop out of the New York City race, allegedly to prevent a Zohran Mamdani victory.
November 16, 2025 - 04:22 PM ET • 2 min read
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa claims he was offered $10 million by a group of unnamed billionaires to withdraw from the New York City mayoral race during its final stretch. Sliwa said the alleged offer was intended to clear the path for Andrew Cuomo, driven by the billionaires' fear that Zohran Mamdani might win the election.
Sliwa detailed the alleged attempts in an interview with TIME conducted one week after the election earlier this month. He stated that the individuals offering the sum were motivated by a desire to prevent a Mamdani victory, whom they perceived as a threat.
Despite the substantial financial offer, Sliwa said he refused to drop out, citing his deep opposition to Andrew Cuomo. Sliwa characterized Cuomo as the "institution of corruption," stating that corruption "came out of every pore of his body."
Sliwa contrasted his view of Cuomo with that of Mamdani. He described Mamdani as "the apprentice," suggesting that if Mamdani were elected mayor, "he'd have a learning curve to go through." Sliwa emphasized that his rejection of the offer stemmed from his fundamental opposition to corruption, which he associated primarily with Cuomo.
Sliwa, a veteran figure in New York City politics, suggested that the individuals making the offer fundamentally misunderstood his motivations. He indicated that his dislike for Cuomo far outweighed any desire to become a multimillionaire.
The alleged attempt to influence the outcome of the high-stakes municipal election highlights the intense political maneuvering surrounding the race. Sliwa's decision to remain in the contest, despite the lucrative offer, was rooted in his long-standing political principles and personal animosity toward the former governor.
The Republican candidate's continued presence in the race meant that the field remained split, potentially complicating the electoral calculus for all major contenders. Sliwa's refusal to step aside, based on his rejection of what he termed institutional corruption, became a defining moment in the closing days of his campaign. Sliwa told TIME he was insulted by the approaches, citing concerns regarding democracy and the law.