Who is Emily Austin and what really is ‘hot girls for Cuomo’?

WEB DESK: It seems that Andrew Cuomo who is contesting for New York City mayor elections is going to leave no stone unturned to edge past Zohran Mamdani. An American influencer, sports-media personality, and conservative commentator, Emily Austin, has recently drawn attention for launching a new campaign titled “Hot Girls for Cuomo.” Known for her work in sports presenting, modelling, and digital activism, Austin has in recent months leaned more heavily into political commentary and branding.

On October 21, 2025, she announced the Hot Girls for Cuomo campaign on social media, urging supporters to back former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in his independent bid for New York City mayor over both the Republican and Democratic candidates. “If you are a hot girl for Andrew Cuomo, I want to hear from you,” she declared in a post.

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A post shared by Emily Austin (@emily.austin)

The viral “Hot Girls for Bernie” movement from 2020 resurfaced in a new form, Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens. Originally sparked by model Emily Ratajkowski’s endorsement of Bernie Sanders, the “hot girls” label became a playful online identity for young progressive women challenging stereotypes around Sanders supporters.

Now, amid a more polarised political climate shaped by Trump’s return to power, “Hot Girls 4 Zohran” has emerged on social media platforms like X and Instagram, distributing free campaign merchandise and rallying support for Mamdani. The revival blends irony and activism, turning social media aesthetics into political expression while attempting to energize younger voters around a progressive, left-wing alternative in city politics. Though less about literal “hot girls,” the campaign continues the legacy of using pop culture and influencer energy to rebrand socialism for a digital generation.

However, Austin’s campaign quickly encountered an embarrassing setback. Austin failed to secure the website domain HotGirlsForCuomo.com, which was swiftly purchased by an opponent and redirected to the official report of sexual-harassment findings against Cuomo. The misstep undermined what appeared to be an attempt at provocative political branding and instead revived public attention on the scandal that ended Cuomo’s governorship in 2021.

The initiative reflects Austin’s ongoing efforts at image-building and political positioning, aligning herself with controversial yet visible figures to expand her reach. Yet the domain lapse has raised doubts about the campaign’s seriousness and execution, with critics framing it as an example of style eclipsing substance in modern political marketing.