I can count the Republicans I respect on one hand and still have a bunch of fingers going spare, but Curtis Sliwa has absolutely earned a spot. The eccentric, beret-wearing former mayoral candidate was put under immense pressure to drop out of the 2025 race to boost Andrew Cuomo’s chances, but didn’t budge, saying:
“I suggest Andrew Cuomo come off his high horse. If he wants to win this election, go out and campaign for your voters.”
Since the election, Sliwa has been critical of Zohran Mamdani, but clearly likes him personally. The two even appeared in a cat-themed comedy skit together, annoying other conservatives who saw this as a betrayal. But we suspect they may have yet more to bond over, given their recent remarks about the British royal family.
King Charles has been in town this week, generating transport chaos wherever he goes due to his security arrangements. Mamdani was cordial to Charles, but said he’d recommend he return the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond, a symbol of Britain’s bloody colonial past. Sliwa was asked if he agreed. Judging by his answer, it’s safe to say he does:
Curtis Sliwa agrees with Mamdani, says the British royals should return the diamond:
— Josie Stratman (@JosieStratman) April 30, 2026
“The royalty, they're a bunch of deadbeats, slackers, the worst welfare cheats in the world,” Sliwa says. https://t.co/ZCxvSOqYpc pic.twitter.com/4gBUaVQ32s
“I was in India about 15 years ago and I met with historians there. They stole all the artifacts. Not just from India, all over the world! They refuse to give it back. So you have the king and queen and the royalty… they’re a bunch of deadbeats, slackers, the worst welfare cheats in the world.”
“Fake, phony, fraudulent”
Sliwa pointed out that Indians stepped up to help defend the United Kingdom during World War II and got no thanks for it:
“The least the royal family – the royal stiffs – can do is not stiff the Indian people. But they do it and they don’t think twice about it. Oh, and they should have met with the Epstein victims!”
He then goes on to point out that King Charles is being fawned over by some of the very “liberals and progressives” who were supporting the No Kings protests: “they’re fake, phony, fraudulent fugazis. I hate the king. I hate the queen. We should do away with the royalty!”
Sliwa is, of course, absolutely correct. It’s ridiculous that any modern country should have a monarchy and put people in positions of authority purely because of the womb they fell out of.
Anyway, one thing’s for sure. Sliwa isn’t getting an invitation to Buckingham Palace for dinner anytime soon. In fact, I suspect the only way he’s getting in there is as part of a revolutionary mob wielding pitchforks and pointedly sharpening their guillotine blades.
