Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s latest campaign stunt is getting roasted hotter than a car battery on the fritz.
According to New York Post, Cuomo, now running as an independent for New York City mayor after losing the Democratic primary to socialist Zohran Mamdani, has stumbled into a social media storm with a video of him helping a stranded driver jump-start a car, alongside another lackluster ad filmed in a park.
Let’s start with the first misfire: a video dropped on Monday where Cuomo stands in a park, railing against Mamdani’s “slick slogans, but no real solutions.”
The ad lacks punch, with critics like Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama adviser, calling it “one of the least compelling campaign videos” he’s ever seen. If even the progressive crowd finds it dull, imagine how everyday New Yorkers feel tuning out this snooze-fest.
Then there’s the boom mic glaring in the corner, prompting X user CantEverDie to question the so-called “organic meeting with constituents.” Authenticity matters, and this staged setup isn’t fooling anyone who values straight talk over slick production.
On Tuesday, Cuomo’s team posted another gem on Instagram, showing the former governor playing roadside hero by jump-starting a stranded driver’s car in NYC.
In the clip, Cuomo fumbles with jumper cables and later offers an odd handshake-high-five combo that had Instagram user yomikeson quipping it was less smooth than a “car crash.” When your gesture of goodwill becomes a meme, it’s time to rethink the PR strategy.
Social media didn’t hold back, with users like tianaco branding the whole act “cringe and inauthentic,” while X user TheHitPoncho warned that Cuomo’s cable technique—allegedly connecting negative to battery instead of chassis—could spark a fire. Safety first, Governor; New Yorkers don’t need literal sparks flying in a campaign already on shaky ground.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, fired back, claiming the governor is a “trained mechanic” who worked a tow truck to pay for law school and has helped countless New Yorkers with car woes. That’s a nice backstory, but it doesn’t explain why this particular rescue feels more like a photo op than genuine service.
Azzopardi also dismissed online critics, saying if the “insular Pod Saves America guys” dislike it, then Cuomo must be “on the right track.” Clever jab, but deflecting criticism won’t fix a campaign video that’s alienating more voters than it’s winning over.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa took a swipe on X, noting he prefers the subway over motorcades, unlike some politicians staging car rescues. It’s a subtle dig at elitism that resonates with folks tired of leaders who seem out of touch with the daily grind.
The online backlash has been brutal, with Instagram user samisclam telling Cuomo’s team the ads are “more and more embarrassing” with each release. When your base starts pleading for you to “stay home in Westchester” as user Avec.davey did, it’s a sign the message isn’t landing.
Even worse for Cuomo, the criticism is driving support to his rival, with Instagram users like thelightfastness admitting the video made them “like Zohran even more.” That’s the last thing a campaign needs—turning your missteps into a boost for the competition.
Cuomo’s bid to “fix this city,” as his ad proclaims with the tagline “start your engines,” is stalling out faster than that stranded car. New Yorkers crave real leadership, not rehearsed heroics or park speeches that feel as forced as that infamous handshake. If Cuomo wants to rev up his campaign, he’ll need to ditch the gimmicks and focus on substance over spectacle.
