Donald Trump

Cuomo on His ‘Inartful' Remark: ‘Of Course America Is Great'

The possible White House contender in 2020 set off a wave of criticism. New York Republicans demanded an apology. An adviser for Gov. Cuomo's Democratic primary rival, Cynthia Nixon, said he "folded like a cheap suit"

What to Know

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that he was "inartful" when he said earlier in the week that America "was never that great"
  • New York Republicans demanded an apology and purchased Cuomo a one-way bus ticket to Montreal
  • "I want to be very clear: Of course America is great and of course America has always been great," Cuomo, a Democrat, told reporters Friday

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that he was "inartful" when he said earlier in the week that America "was never that great," a comment that was widely condemned and mocked by critics on the right and left.

"I want to be very clear: Of course America is great and of course America has always been great," Cuomo, a Democrat, told reporters on a conference call. "My family is evidence of American greatness."

Cuomo's appraisal of the nation was somewhat different Wednesday when, speaking at a Manhattan bill signing, he critiqued Republican President Donald Trump and his slogan, "Make America Great Again."

"We're not going to make America great again - it was never that great," Cuomo told the audience, which reacted with gasps and laughter. "We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged."

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The comment set off a wave of criticism of Cuomo, who is seeking a third term this fall and is considered a possible White House contender in 2020. 

New York Republicans demanded an apology and purchased Cuomo a one-way bus ticket to Montreal.

The remark prompted Trump to tweet that Cuomo was having a "total meltdown" on Wednesday.

Since then, Trump has tweeted about the incident various times.

The campaign for Cuomo's Democratic primary challenger, former "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, accused him Friday of trying to sound like a liberal and failing with his comment and subsequent reversal.

"Instead of being a leader who stands up to Donald Trump, Andrew Cuomo backed down after a few insults from him today, and folded like a cheap suit. It turns out Andrew Cuomo’s tough talk was just that," Nixon senior advisor Rebecca Katz said in a statement. "As governor, Cynthia Nixon will stand up to Trump, and stand by her progressive convictions, regardless of what this horrible president or the polls might say. New York needs that principled toughness now more than ever."

CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert said the comment was "the dumbest thing you could say as a politician."

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After clarifying his thoughts to reporters, Cuomo said he has no plans to run for president but will continue his criticism of Trump, who is scheduled to attend a Long Island fundraiser Friday.

Calling the president "vindictive, petty and small," Cuomo said "Make America Great Again" reflects Trump's desire to return America to a time of greater intolerance and inequality.

"Everything he does is repugnant to our values," he said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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