Trump backer Bill Ackman supports Cuomo's mayoral bid with $250K donation
NEW YORK — Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a prominent supporter of Republican President Donald Trump, has donated $250,000 to a super PAC boosting Andrew Cuomo's run for New York City mayor, new campaign finance filings show.
It's the latest example of GOP-affiliated players getting behind New York's Democratic former governor as he vies to replace Mayor Eric Adams.
Ackman's contribution helped the pro-Cuomo Fix the City super PAC exceed $4.8 million in donations, while an effort to blunt Cuomo's comeback is having a much tougher time. New Yorkers for Better Leadership reported a $1,000 contribution from climate tech investor Thomas O'Keefe — its first donation of $1,000 or more since forming March 11 to castigate Cuomo's Albany record.
Other super PACs opposing Cuomo have also attracted only modest support. New Yorkers for Lower Costs, which favors democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, reported raising $56,500 through last week. And a group with the slogan 'Don't Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor' has just $10,500 in contributions of $1,000 or more.
Fix the City, meanwhile, has lured 71 major contributors since the beginning of March, according to disclosures filed Monday with the state Board of Elections. Over the past week, New York real estate developer brothers Kamran and Frederick Elghanayan of TF Cornerstone donated $25,000 each, cardboard magnate Dennis Mehiel gave $50,000 and Republican Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, who served as state treasurer under former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, gave $5,000.
The donations underscore Cuomo's appeal to finance and real estate titans as he dominates the polls in his bid for mayor.
A political firebrand, Ackman's opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion policies have triggered weekly protests from Al Sharpton. Ackman made headlines last week for breaking with Trump over his tariff policy, then vociferously praising Trump for delaying the implementation. 'This was brilliantly executed' by Trump, Ackman posted on X. 'Textbook, Art of the Deal.'
Representatives for Pershing Square Holdings, Ackman's firm, and the super PAC both declined to comment on the donation.
Ackman has been an outspoken critic of Columbia University's handling of campus protests supporting Palestine and criticizing Israel. Cuomo has also criticized Columbia's response in making opposition to antisemitism a central plank of his campaign.
A prolific donor to Republicans and Democrats, Ackman also gave $2,034 to long-shot Democratic mayoral candidate Whitney Tilson — an investor with whom he attended Harvard University. Campaign finance records show Ackman last gave to Cuomo for his gubernatorial reelection bid in 2013, and he contributed $250,000 to a super PAC backing Wall Street investor Ray McGuire, who finished seventh in the Democratic primary for mayor four years ago.
Cuomo's opponents have criticized his donors as out of step with Democratic primary voters.
'Brad Lander has joined Rev. Sharpton and the National Action Network to protest Bill Ackman's disgusting pushes to roll back civil rights and DEI programs nationally,' Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for the city comptroller and mayoral candidate, said in a statement. 'No one is surprised Trump agent Ackman is bankrolling Cuomo's Super PAC, after Cuomo himself accepted thousands in donations from MAGA donors who helped elect Trump.'
Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for New Yorkers for Better Leadership, said more money would come to block Cuomo.
'We know that it is more than possible to fund a strong anti-Cuomo movement, and we're confident once a strong challenger emerges to the former governor, that effort can come together quickly,' Hitt said in a statement. 'Cuomo is still very beatable — he has the highest negatives of any candidate in the race, and his lead is primarily rooted in the fact that his challengers are virtually unknown.'
Earlier donors to Fix the City include entertainment mogul Barry Diller, Walmart heir Alice Walton and singer Billy Joel, a friend of Cuomo's. Players in the real estate and financial sectors have donated heavily to the organization, which is run by longtime Cuomo ally Steven Cohen.
New York City mayoral candidates who participate in the city's matching funds program — as all Democrats this year are — agree to a $2,100 contribution ceiling, but super PACs can take unlimited donations as long as they don't coordinate with campaigns.
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