2025-11-03T20:08:29Z Share Facebook Email X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky WhatsApp Copy link lightning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.
One day before the pivotal New York City mayoral election, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO known for his influence over technology and markets alike, publicly declared his endorsement of Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York. By doing so, Musk became the latest in a growing list of affluent and prominent figures throwing their considerable weight behind an alternative to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a state assemblyman whose campaign has drawn both enthusiasm and opposition across party lines.
Musk’s intervention came via his social media platform, X, where he urged New York City voters to support Cuomo’s independent candidacy. In his characteristically direct and provocative tone, he cautioned citizens that casting a ballot for Curtis Sliwa—the Republican contender—would, in his estimation, inadvertently benefit Mamdani’s campaign. Musk phrased his message with a mix of humor and dismissal, emphasizing that any vote diverted toward Sliwa would, in practical terms, strengthen Mamdani’s position, ultimately imploring his followers: “VOTE CUOMO!”
By aligning himself with Cuomo, Musk not only revealed his personal political preference but also highlighted a broader trend among powerful investors and executives seeking to shape the outcome of one of the nation’s most closely observed municipal contests. Several other billionaires have similarly opposed Mamdani, channeling significant financial contributions into efforts either to elevate Cuomo’s profile or to diminish the assemblyman’s momentum. Among those joining the ranks of influential figures taking a stand are former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia, and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman—each notable for their involvement in both business innovation and political advocacy. Their endorsements, while grounded in individual motives, collectively underscore the extent to which financial elites are engaging in the city’s political transformation and influencing public debate at a crucial moment.
Adding a further layer of complexity to the evolving political landscape, former President Donald Trump also voiced his opinion on the race. In a candid exchange during a “60 Minutes” interview with CBS News, Trump remarked that between what he described as a “bad Democrat” and a “communist,” he would unhesitatingly choose the former, asserting a preference for Cuomo’s victory as the more acceptable outcome. His commentary, though brief, reinforced the sense that the New York mayoral contest has drawn intense national attention, transcending municipal boundaries and becoming a reflection of broader ideological divides within American politics.
This report continues to develop, with additional reactions and political statements expected as voters across New York City prepare to cast their ballots. Readers are encouraged to return for updates as the situation unfolds and as new insights emerge about the influence of these high-profile endorsements on the final outcome.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-cuomo-endorsement-zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayoral-race-2025-11
