New York Daily News

Bet? Gov chides Don on vote boast

- BY MICHAEL GARTLAND

It’s a double-dog dare of the first magnitude.

After President Trump suggested Democratic-dominated New York State is up for grabs in this year’s presidenti­al contest, Gov. Cuomo fired back Thursday with a response that could be summed up in one word: Bet?

“Whatever he would like to wager on his winning New York, I would take him up on it,” Cuomo said at his morning news briefing. “Put your money where your mouth is. How much do you want to wager that you’re going to win New York?”

The challenge almost immediatel­y got political wags speculatin­g over how Trump might respond and how it would ultimately turn out.

Trump beating Joe Biden in the Empire State?

Rev. Al Sharpton isn’t buying it.

“I think Trump has as much chance of winning New York as I do winning a ballerina contest,” he said. “They should bet about 50 push-ups ... Trump tries to project himself as this macho guy. I’d love to see him try to do something physical.”

Sharpton predicted Cuomo would handily win a battle of the biceps, but said the governor should be careful if the president tries to pony up with Trump Tower.

But NYC Councilman Mark Levine suggested Cuomo should take that action if it’s on the table.

“If Trump loses, he should turn Trump Tower into affordable housing,” said the uptown Democrat, who’s running for Manhattan borough president.

As for Trump winning: “It’s beyond the realm of possibilit­y to need to even speculate,” he said.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams suggested the gov put up one of his beloved cars.

Trump’s campaign did not immediatel­y return messages.

Cuomo did not stop with the bet challenge Thursday.

A day after railing against the president for threatenin­g to cut aid to the Big Apple, the governor doubled down on his attacks.

“Those who know the president best, like him the least,” he said. “New Yorkers know him. He grew up here. We watched him as tabloid fodder for years.”

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