Curtis Sliwa isn’t interested in shaking off his opinions about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Manhattan wedding. The former New York City mayoral candidate went on a rapid-fire rant when caught by a camera on Wednesday in the Big Apple, and his complaints ranged from the couple’s choice of venue to the guest list itself.
Sliwa’s main gripe: the lavish celebration transformed New York into what he describes as a playground for trendoids, jet-setters and freakazoids. But his criticism went deeper than celebrity spectacle. He pointed out that while the rich celebrated, everyday New Yorkers—cops, local businesses, and residents—ended up footing the bill for the disruption. It’s a fair counterpoint to the glamour machine: who pays the real-world cost when a massive event shuts down parts of the city?
The rant escalated from there, touching on everything from the couple’s buffet to relationship dynamics. Sliwa questioned why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce even chose New York in the first place, building momentum with each new grievance. The funnier it got, the sharper his delivery became—the kind of unfiltered commentary that’s become his trademark whether he’s running for office or just airing frustrations on the street.
What made the encounter especially noteworthy wasn’t just the Swift-Kelce roasting, though. Sliwa also took the opportunity to grade Zohran Mamdani, the man who defeated him in the 2025 New York City mayoral race, offering a bluntly honest assessment of how the new mayor is performing so far. For someone who lost that election, Sliwa certainly hasn’t stopped weighing in on the state of the city.
It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why Sliwa has remained a fixture in New York politics and culture for decades. Love him or not, the man doesn’t hold back—and he’s got opinions on everything from high-profile weddings to city leadership.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
