Media mogul Barry Diller has thrown his help behind former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bid for New York Metropolis mayor — citing “gratitude” for the disgraced politician’s previous help of the billionaire’s Hudson River actual property improvement.
Diller, a longtime Democratic donor, made his place clear throughout an off-the-record assembly with workers at IAC, the digital media firm he chairs. His remarks had been captured in a recording obtained by Semafor.
“I owe him gratitude for that, so I am supporting him,” Diller stated, referring to Cuomo’s help within the creation of Little Island, a public park in Manhattan that Diller and his spouse, dressmaker Diane von Fürstenberg, helped fund.
The high-profile challenge remodeled an previous pier right into a hanging inexperienced house on the Hudson River, and Cuomo performed a task in slicing by bureaucratic obstacles to make it occur.
“New York City is in crisis — a crisis of public safety, affordability, and leadership — and we appreciate Mr. Diller’s support and confidence as Governor Cuomo fights to save our city for future generations,” a spokesperson for Cuomo instructed The Publish.
Diller went additional in his endorsement, stating, “I think he’d be a very good mayor of New York. I don’t think [current mayor Eric] Adams will or should survive politically.”
Diller additionally revealed his dissatisfaction with the present state of the Democratic Celebration, slamming Dems over their “pathetic and unfortunate” response to President Trump’s handle to Congress final week.
Over time, Diller has been an lively political donor, primarily supporting Democratic candidates.
Throughout Trump’s current handle to Congress, Democratic lawmakers expressed their dissent by numerous actions, together with displaying protest indicators, strolling out and heckling — with Rep. Al Inexperienced (D-Texas) being escorted out after interrupting the speech.
“The Democratic Party is in complete disarray, there’s no leadership,” Diller stated. He added, “These things have to get worse before they get better.”
Cuomo introduced final week that he would compete within the Democratic mayoral main, which is scheduled to be held on June 24.
Polls present that if the vote had been held as we speak, Cuomo could be the heavy favourite amongst a area that might presumably embody Adams; the present and former metropolis comptrollers, Brad Lander and Scott Stringer; the New York state meeting member Zohran Mamdani; and the state senator Jessica Ramos, amongst others.
Adams, who has confronted mounting criticism over crime charges and metropolis administration, may very well be susceptible to a high-profile challenger.
His tenure has additionally been marred by authorized troubles, together with a federal investigation into his marketing campaign fundraising practices and allegations of ties to unlawful overseas donors.
Cuomo’s return to politics comes after his dramatic resignation as governor in 2021 amid a number of scandals, together with allegations of sexual harassment and criticism over his dealing with of COVID-19-related nursing house deaths.
As soon as a dominant determine in New York politics, Cuomo initially maintained sturdy Democratic help, however his departure left him politically wounded.
Since then, he has been working to rehabilitate his public picture, suggesting that he was the sufferer of a politically motivated marketing campaign to take away him from workplace.
The Publish has sought remark from Diller.
