Hochul calls Republican voters ‘anti-American’

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has criticized Republican voters, branding them as “anti-American” during an appearance on MSNBC. Hochul’s comments were sparked by former President Donald Trump’s recent campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, which she tied directly to Republican candidates in New York.

“If you’re voting for these Republicans in New York, you’re voting for someone who supports Donald Trump, and you’re anti-woman, you’re anti-abortion, and basically you’re anti-American because you have just trashed American values and what our country is all about,” Hochul stated.

The remarks have provoked sharp backlash from New York Republicans, who vehemently objected to the governor’s questioning of the patriotism of Trump supporters. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R) called the comments “absolutely unacceptable,” asserting, “These Americans aren’t ‘garbage.’ They’re patriots voting for a better future for all of us.”

Representative Elise Stefanik (R, N.Y.) also weighed in, linking Hochul’s statement to recent remarks made by businessman Mark Cuban regarding Trump’s circle. “First, they called us ‘Deplorables.’ Then, they called us ‘Nazis.’ Then, Joe Biden called us ‘garbage,’” Stefanik said on X. “The Democrat Party led by Kamala Harris is an absolute disgrace as they smear American patriots who want to save our country by supporting President Trump and Republicans.”

Hochul’s comments also drew criticism from former Representative Lee Zeldin (R), her opponent in the 2022 election. Zeldin mocked her messaging, saying, “If you don’t vote Democrat, you are Nazi, Hitler-loving, anti-American garbage.” Notably, Zeldin lost to Hochul by just six points in a state where Biden had won by a 23-point margin.

While New York is traditionally a Democratic stronghold, the upcoming election is crucial for determining the competitiveness of down-ballot congressional races. Incumbent Republicans, who narrowly secured their seats in the last election, now face well-funded Democratic challengers aiming to link them to Trump’s controversial policies and red-state abortion bans. As tensions rise, Hochul’s remarks are poised to become a defining point in the state’s political landscape leading up to the election.