Hochul Sits Down For Interview & Comments On Rally
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently sparked controversy by asserting that voting for Republican candidates who support former President Donald Trump is “anti-woman” and “anti-American.”
During her Saturday interview on MSNBC, Hochul sought to connect New York Republicans to Trump’s influence, suggesting that a vote for any GOP candidate in the state effectively aligns voters with what she described as an anti-American agenda.
“If you’re voting for these Republicans in New York, you are voting for someone who supports Donald Trump,” Hochul remarked. “And you’re anti-woman, you’re anti-abortion, and basically you’re anti-American.”
The governor’s broad-brush accusations quickly fueled a backlash, with many conservatives and independents questioning the foundation of her claims. Hochul’s statements follow a pattern in her rhetoric over recent years. In 2022, she suggested Republicans who supported Trump should “get out of New York” entirely, adding that they “don’t represent our values.”
Hochul’s remarks have polarized her state, where her approval rating has sunk to record lows—just 34%—while Trump’s favorability stands at 44%, a notable contrast for someone Hochul characterizes as anti-American.
New York is often highlighted as an example of the electoral divide within states, especially given its pronounced regional contrast. Most counties in New York lean conservative, while the metropolitan regions of New York City and parts of Buffalo wield outsized influence.
This disparity was evident in the 2022 gubernatorial race, where Hochul narrowly defeated her Republican opponent, Lee Zeldin, despite his winning 49 of New York’s 62 counties. Hochul’s reliance on New York City’s voter base underscores a trend within the Democratic Party: governing with urban support while risking alienation of the broader state population.
Hochul’s divisive rhetoric around Trump and Republicans reflects a national trend, where some Democrats employ charged language to rally their base. However, as recent elections indicate, such an approach may backfire.
In 2022, Hochul’s unpopularity contributed to Republicans flipping four congressional seats in New York, a rare feat in a heavily Democratic state. Her portrayal of Trump’s policies and supporters as out of step with “New York values” dismisses the diverse opinions across her state, where Trump rallies continue to draw large crowds.
Just recently, a rally at Madison Square Garden filled to capacity, with thousands chanting support for the former president.