Curtis Sliwa Explodes During Live Broadcast — Quits 77 WABC Radio After Station Owner Urges Him to Drop Out of New York City Mayoral Race
Curtis Sliwa, the fiery founder of the Guardian Angels and Republican candidate for New York City mayor, abruptly quit his radio show at 77 WABC Radio on Wednesday after a tense on-air argument with colleagues and management. The blow-up, which unfolded live during the broadcast, left listeners stunned and social media buzzing as one of the city’s most recognizable voices stormed off the air after being told to end his campaign.
According to the New York Post, the confrontation began when WABC owner John Catsimatidis and co-host Sid Rosenberg urged Sliwa to withdraw from the mayoral race. The pair argued that his continued candidacy could split the Republican vote and inadvertently hand victory to progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani or independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Sliwa, however, refused — insisting that his campaign represented the true voice of New Yorkers fed up with crime and political corruption. Moments later, his frustration boiled over.
“You will never see me in the studio of WABC ever again,” Sliwa declared, his voice rising in anger before removing his headset and walking out. “This station is supposed to be the home of free speech — but now it’s ‘Always Broadcast Cuomo!’” The outburst immediately went viral, sparking fierce debate across political circles and conservative media.
Sliwa’s decision marks the end of a decades-long relationship with WABC, where he built a loyal following with his outspoken, street-smart commentary on city life and politics. He first gained fame in the 1980s as the red-beret-wearing leader of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime-prevention group that patrolled New York subways at the height of the city’s crime wave. Over time, he transitioned from vigilante hero to radio firebrand, blending conservative populism with relentless criticism of city leadership.
The Post reports that Catsimatidis had privately urged Sliwa to suspend his campaign earlier in the week, suggesting it would be a “patriotic move” to back another candidate capable of defeating Democrats in November. Sliwa flatly refused, saying he would not “betray voters” who believe in his message. He later told reporters outside the studio that he’s “not for sale,” and that his decision to walk away from WABC was about integrity, not ego.
The radio exit adds new drama to what was already a turbulent mayoral race. Sliwa’s campaign — defined by his calls for restoring law and order, lowering taxes, and cleaning up city bureaucracy — had drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters call him a fearless outsider who speaks for the forgotten middle class, while opponents dismiss his populist style as performance politics. Yet even critics concede his name recognition and decades-long media presence make him a significant player in a crowded race.
Inside WABC, reactions were mixed. Some colleagues expressed disappointment over his departure, while others said tensions had been building for months over Sliwa’s dual role as broadcaster and candidate. “It was only a matter of time,” one insider told the Post. “Curtis was never going to take orders — especially not about his campaign.”
The fallout has quickly become one of New York’s most talked-about political moments of the season. Sliwa’s walkout was replayed across platforms within hours, with clips circulating on X and YouTube garnering hundreds of thousands of views. For his supporters, it reinforced his image as an unfiltered fighter unwilling to bow to pressure. For critics, it raised questions about temperament and professionalism just weeks before Election Day.
Whatever comes next, Sliwa’s exit marks the end of an era in New York talk radio — and possibly the start of his most unpredictable campaign yet. With the mayoral race heating up and WABC now distancing itself from its former star, one thing is certain: Curtis Sliwa isn’t done making noise in the city that made him famous.
