NEW YORK — The Naked Cowboy is fully clothed in his political convictions. Robert Burck, the guitar-strumming fixture of Times Square known worldwide as the Naked Cowboy, endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman for New York governor this week, declaring it was "time for a leader who sticks to the facts."
The endorsement, first reported by Breitbart, came in the form of a video posted to X by Blakeman's campaign account, @NassauExec, showing Burck in his signature white underwear and cowboy boots strumming a guitar plastered with "Bruce Blakeman for Governor" and "www.FireMamdani.com" stickers.
"Even the Naked Cowboy wants to Fire Kathy Hochul!" Blakeman wrote in the post. "Great to see the energy and enthusiasm out in Times Square. All New Yorkers are making their voices heard!"
"Even the Naked Cowboy wants to Fire Kathy Hochul! Great to see the energy and enthusiasm out in Times Square. All New Yorkers are making their voices heard!" — @NassauExec on X
In the video, Burck did what he does best: he sang. But this time the lyrics were aimed squarely at Governor Kathy Hochul, whom he accused of pushing a "radical scheme of left-wing delusion." The street performer faulted the governor for supporting open borders and for allowing "the bills" to rise for everyday New Yorkers.
"He'll lower your tax bills and cut the waste, bring common sense back to the governor's place," Burck sang, according to Breitbart's reporting. He concluded that "the choice is clear" between Blakeman and Hochul.
The Debate That Set the Stage
The endorsement lands just days after a contentious gubernatorial debate in which Hochul went after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declaring at one point that "ICE is out of control, it's out of control in Nassau County" — the county Blakeman has run as executive.
Hochul cited the anecdote of an 11-year-old boy who cried because his father was detained in an ICE raid. Blakeman rejected the emotional appeal, pointing to the more than 2,000 illegal migrants with criminal convictions removed from Nassau County and the safer streets that resulted. He blasted the governor for supporting a criminal with a long record and noted there had been no unrest, violence, or incidents at schools, hospitals, or churches as ICE carried out its duties in his jurisdiction.
Blakeman argued that when local governments cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, communities are safer. That message is now getting an unexpected amplification from one of New York City's most recognizable street characters.
Not the Usual Times Square Endorsement
The Naked Cowboy has been a Times Square staple for decades, posing for tourists and strumming his guitar through rain, snow, and the occasional mayoral crackdown. An Instagram post from the account @thenakedcowboy, captioned "The Naked Cowboy | Times Square today," shows the performer in his usual spot — reminding followers that his perch is a place where visitors from across the country and around the world pass through daily.
Burck is the latest in a string of high-profile figures to back Blakeman. Anthony Constantino, a Republican candidate, recently encouraged voters to "vote like crazy" and to support Blakeman in New York state during an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday, which airs on SiriusXM Patriot 125. Constantino also noted he would be appearing at a rally in Rome, New York, with Vice President JD Vance ahead of the midterm elections.
The Daily Signal reported that a Blakeman victory could serve as a check on Zohran Mamdani, the left-wing mayoral candidate whose policies have alarmed New York business owners and moderate Democrats alike. The "FireMamdani.com" sticker on Burck's guitar suggests the Cowboy sees the two races as linked.
What It Means for New Yorkers
Endorsements from celebrities and street performers rarely move votes on their own. But the Naked Cowboy's backing carries a specific kind of symbolic weight: he is a working man in the city's most visited public square, and his livelihood depends on the safety and vitality of Times Square. His message — lower taxes, cut waste, secure borders — echoes the concerns of small business owners, commuters, and parents who say they've watched quality of life decline under Hochul's tenure.
Whether the Cowboy's song changes any ballots is unknown. What is known is that Burck, a man who has spent years entertaining tourists in his underwear, has now made a fully clothed political statement. And in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a wide margin, every voice — even a singing one — counts.
Our Take
There is something deeply satisfying about the Naked Cowboy — a man who literally embodies the freedom and eccentricity of New York City — turning to the camera and telling the political establishment that enough is enough. Burck isn't a politician. He isn't a pundit. He's a guy who stands in Times Square every day and sees what's happening to his city: the rising costs, the open borders, the sense that Albany has abandoned the people who actually live and work here.
His endorsement of Bruce Blakeman isn't about party politics. It's about common sense. It's about a county executive who has proven he can keep his community safe by cooperating with ICE while Hochul plays politics with the tragedy of an 11-year-old boy. It's about a governor who has spent years lecturing New Yorkers about "radical schemes" while the bills pile up and the streets get less safe.
Patriots, this is what a real grassroots movement looks like. It doesn't always come from a politician's podium. Sometimes it comes from a guy in his underwear with a guitar and a message. The fact that the Naked Cowboy is singing Blakeman's praises should tell you everything you need to know about the mood in New York. The people are paying attention. The choice is clear.
On Tuesday, New Yorkers have a chance to vote for safety, sanity, and a governor who sticks to the facts. The Naked Cowboy already made his choice. Have you made yours?
