Curtis Sliwa compares himself to Braveheart in the New York City mayor’s race
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Curtis Sliwa says he’s approaching the final leg of the race for New York City mayor like a “braveheart” — confident, defiant and willing to die on his sword for the city he loves.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Saliwa, known for his tough-on-crime stance and outspoken rhetoric, compared himself to the legendary freedom fighter, saying he will continue to fight Democratic nominee Zahran Mamdani and his socialist allies regardless of who wins on Tuesday.
The Guardian Angels founder said Mamdani’s supporters — whom he described as “Zohranistas,” a reference to Nicaragua’s Sandinista socialist movement — would flee the city if their candidate lost, but that he would stay and fight for New York.
“If I lose, I will stand up and fight,” Saliwa said. “I’m getting better, I’m not moving.”
I’m Curtis Sliwa. That’s why I want New York City to vote for mayor
Curtis Sliwa (left) and a scene from Braveheart (right) appear in a split photo. Sliwa compared himself to the film’s hero, saying that he “exudes confidence, strength and combat – like the movie Braveheart.” (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)
“The Zahranis are already saying they are ready to flee. The moment we take control of the city, they are all saying they will sell, flee and leave – and then we will run this city.”
Sliwa then compared his design to the climax of “Braveheart,” the 1995 historical epic starring Mel Gibson as Scottish warrior William Wallace, who leads the fight for independence from England in the 13th century. Upon his execution, Wallace refused to beg for mercy or pledge allegiance to the King of England, even while being disemboweled.
“I’m confident, strong and fighting – like a brave heart,” Sliwa said. “In the end, they catch him, put him on the stretcher, and the executioner says, ‘You will bow to the King of England.’ And he looks at him and says, ‘Do your job.’ Then they impale him and take him out. That’s me — Braveheart.”
“I will become the Royal Opposition. And boy, I will become Zahran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America – AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] -I will become their worst nightmare because I will fight, fight, fight. Republicans do not surrender, they retreat and flee. Democrats do.”
Curtis Sliwa (right) and Rudy Giuliani (left) are pictured in separate file photos. Sliwa also compared himself to the former mayor of New York City, calling himself “Rudy Giuliani 2.0.” (Edouard Berthelot/Getty Images; David de Delgado/Reuters)
DAVID MARCUS: It’s not Curtis Sliwa’s job to save the Democratic Party from itself
Sliwa said he was confident that election day was approaching, pointing to what he called an unprecedented popular process.
“We have 13 campaign headquarters in the five boroughs, and no one has done this before,” he said. “We’re everywhere. I can feel it — this city is ready to welcome real New Yorkers back.”
Saliwa rejected the latest poll conducted by Fox News, which showed that he received 15%, and the popularity of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rose slightly to 31%, with Mamdani leading by 47%.
He said the poll was not a true reflection of the city’s pulse because it showed Mamdani as the best candidate for tackling crime.
“No one can consider Zahran Mamdani to be the law and order candidate. I am Rudy Giuliani 2.0,” Saliwa said. “That’s why the ballot box doesn’t elect officials — the people will elect the next mayor.”
He said billionaire donors had offered him $10 million to withdraw from the race, and claimed he was now traveling with an armed escort after receiving threats against him and his wife.
“I am the only true New Yorker in this race, I was born here, I was almost killed here, and I will die here,” Sliwa said. “They tried to take me out once, but I’m still standing. I’ll fight until the end.”
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zahran Mamdani accepts an endorsement from United Bodegas of America in the Bronx, New York City, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavy)
The 71-year-old Brooklyn-born man survived a mob attack in 1992, when he was shot several times inside a moving taxi before jumping out the window. Prosecutors alleged that the driver was Gambino’s associate and that the attack was approved by the family patriarch, John Gotti Jr., who believed Sliwa was criticizing Gottis on his radio show. Gotti Jr. was later accused of ordering the attack but was never convicted.
Cuomo was born in Queens, while Mamdani was born in Uganda.
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Sliwa has portrayed himself as a populist Republican for blue-collar voters as well as animal lovers, touting his independent “Save the Animals” ballot line. New York law allows candidates to appear on more than one ballot line, so Saliwa created it to highlight his animal rescue work and activism to protect cats, dogs and other animals.
“Whether I win or lose, I’ll still be there with the people — in the streets, on the subway, with the cats, with the cops. That’s who I am.”