Follow the Money

Cuomo’s biggest donors are the very people and industries that profit from keeping NYC unaffordable. They line their pockets off the backs of New Yorkers who are struggling to pay their rent, afford groceries, and call New York City home. Here are the facts: 

  • As of early May 2025, 74 percent of donations to an Andrew Cuomo PAC that has raised millions of dollars came from real estate and finance, industries that stand to benefit from his mayoralty and from making NYC unaffordable. Our donor analysis here. 

  • About half a million is from slumlords being sued by the city. Reporting here.

  • As of early May 2025, nearly 20% of donors to Cuomo’s PAC are Republicans or Trump donors, appointees, advisors, and endorsers. Our donor analysis here. 

This is a continuation of Cuomo’s record as a governor: He prioritized the wealthy and well-connected over New Yorkers struggling with affordability. See historical analysis here.

Below are the top donors to Andrew Cuomo’s PAC at $250,000 a pop:

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman is a key Trump ally and advocate of privatizing public services. He is a critic of diversity programs, vaccines, and anyone critical of Israel.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman is a key Trump ally and advocate of privatizing public services. He is a critic of diversity programs, vaccines, and anyone critical of Israel.

Real estate developer and slumlord Peter Fine was banned from NYC housing subsidy programs after his firm pleaded guilty to fraud. The City has sued Fine 16 times over building violations in the past year.

Real estate developer and slumlord Peter Fine was banned from NYC housing subsidy programs after his firm pleaded guilty to fraud. The City has sued Fine 16 times over building violations in the past year.

Real estate developer Scott Rechle of RXR Reaty owns $17 billion in NYC real estate and has been a long-time donor to Cuomo. Cuomo appointed Rechler to the MTA and Port Authority Board, allowing him to make decisions that boosted his profits.

Real estate developer Scott Rechle of RXR Reaty owns $17 billion in NYC real estate and has been a long-time donor to Cuomo. Cuomo appointed Rechler to the MTA and Port Authority Board, allowing him to make decisions that boosted his profits.

The firm of Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz was Cuomo’s second largest donor in our analysis. Kasowitz represented Trump when he was accused of colluding with Russians interfering in the 2016 election.

The firm of Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz was Cuomo’s second largest donor in our analysis. Kasowitz represented Trump when he was accused of colluding with Russians interfering in the 2016 election.

Hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb has donated millions to MAGA Republicans & Trump. Loeb once wrote that a Black leader in the NYS Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, had done "more damage to people of color than anyone who has ever donned a hood."

Hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb has donated millions to MAGA Republicans & Trump. Loeb once wrote that a Black leader in the NYS Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, had done "more damage to people of color than anyone who has ever donned a hood."