Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently made headlines for returning to the Brooklyn neighborhood in which he grew up, but he isn't the only New Yorker running for president in 2016. Donald Trump, who, in his anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican, anti-refugee, anti-immigrant rhetoric, could not be more different from the senator from Vermont, is also from New York, and as the state's primary approaches on April 19, Trump has had plenty to say about "New York values." And in light of the New York Post's endorsement of the businessman, it might be worth looking at quotes from Trump about New York.
Even before the Iowa caucuses took place, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tried to undermine Trump's brand of conservatism by linking him to New York City's typically liberal values. But, as a Vanity Fair video back in December demonstrated, not all New Yorkers are keen to oppose Trump; in fact, many of them support him. Trump, originally a Queens native who now lives in Manhattan, has been trying to make the most of his New York upbringing to win over voters in the state's primary — and according to FiveThirtyEight, he's doing a pretty good job and has a greater than 99 percent chance of winning the primary. But what has Trump said about New York, and how does it reflect on his political views? Let's take a look.
1. On Climate Change In New York
It's freezing and snowing in New York — we need global warming!
This quote is from November 2012, and Trump tweeted it just a day after the 2012 presidential election. Here are some quick things to know: Weather is not the same thing as climate, so changes in the weather do not negate human contributions to climate change. And even as cold snaps occur in places like New York and Chicago, many places across the world are reporting record-breaking high temperatures year after year.
2. On New York Values And 9/11
New York values were on display for all to see in the aftermath of 9/11 — a strike at the heart of our city and our nation. In our darkest moments, as a city, we showed the world the very, very best in terms of bravery and heart and soul that we have in America.
Trump recently said this as an indirect response to Cruz's criticisms from before the Iowa caucuses, choosing to offer up his own definition of New York values. This is not one of Trump's most radical statements; it is a sentiment that has been echoed by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who has made it widely known that she represented New York on and after 9/11.
3. On The World Trade Center And NYC's Reaction
We took a big hit with the World Trade Center — worst thing ever, worst attack ever in the United States, worse than Pearl Harbor because they attacked civilians. They attacked people having breakfast. And frankly if you would've been there, and if you would've lived through that like I did with New York people — the way they handled that attack was one of the most incredible things that anybody has ever seen. ... Very few cities could have handled it like that.
This quote is similar to the one above, and what is worth noting about both of these is that liberals aren't used to agreeing a Republican presidential front-runner. The aftermath of 9/11 has been a big part of Trump's campaign, and Trump is rare among conservatives in that he did not give Bush a pass on how he handled the situation. Remarkably, if we look back to an interview Trump did just two days after 9/11, there is no trace of the anti-Muslim rhetoric that has thus far fueled his campaign.
4. On New York People
When people want to knock New York — first of all you shouldn't be doing it, because you have a massive population there — but when you want to knock New York, you've got to go through me. New York is an amazing place with amazing people.
It's clear that whatever clash in values might exist between liberal New Yorkers and the business mogul, Trump will constantly defend New York City. This quote is from January, and it was also a response to Cruz's jabs.
5. On What He Could Do In New York
I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters.
This is one of the more terrifying things Trump has said — and he might not be wrong, given that many of his supporters have said that almost nothing would convince them to change their minds about Trump. New York City's Trump Tower is located on 5th Avenue, and the businessman is essentially under the impression that he could stand outside one day, shoot someone, and walk back inside without even remotely deterring his voter base.
6. On NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
I think pretty strongly that (Bill de Blasio will) end up being a good mayor, maybe a very good mayor and I don’t think he’s going to want to kill the golden goose. ... I think he’s a smart guy that knows what’s going on really big league and I think he is not going to want to destroy New York. I think he is going to want to make New York great.
Even before he had decided to run for president, Trump was already thinking in terms of making his city and country "great." But it is surprising that, amid his criticisms of President Obama, Obamacare, and Democrats in general that Trump would speak highly of de Blasio back in 2013, now the Democratic mayor of New York City.
7. On Ted Cruz And New York
When you looked at [Cruz's] face during the debate, he was talking about New York values as though he hates New Yorkers, which is his real feeling. And if he ever got in, he would give nothing to New York. He would never help New York. ... [Cruz] has hatred for New York. I just don't think New Yorkers are going to fall for it.
Well, that's one way to win over New Yorkers — paint Cruz as the enemy who would never serve New Yorkers as they deserve to be served. It is worth noting, however, that Cruz is not completely wrong when he associates Trump with New York liberals. Trump has, in the past, supported Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, both Democrats, and has come under fire for shifting his stance on issues like abortion.
8. On His New York Hotels
I built, you know, many other buildings across the city. I’m just listing some of them. This was my first. This was my first: the Grand Hyatt hotel.
In what The Observer's Jillian Jorgensen called an ode to Manhattan, Trump said this to a black-tie crowd at Thursday night's New York State GOP Gala, which took place in the Grand Hyatt hotel to which Trump can lay claim to having built. His speech defended New York values and unusually did not mention his desire to make Mexico pay for a wall or to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. He mentioned politics almost as an afterthought, choosing instead to talk about familiar New York City sights, like "families playing in Central Park."
9. On New York Values... And Jeb Bush
When we talk about values, what do we see in NY values? Honesty and straight talk. It’s a work ethic: hard working people. New York — believe it — is about family. It’s about the energy to get things done. If Jeb Bush came here, I’m telling you, he would have much more energy to get things done.
This quote, also from Thursday night's GOP Gala, sums up how Trump feels about New York — which, of course, was not complete without a jab at a candidate who hasn't actually been in the race in months. Thanks to Cruz, we now have a plethora of New York-related feelings from Trump, many of which are meant to cement the Republican front-runner as a true New Yorker.
