Anthony Constantino, the former boxer and CEO of Sticker Mule who just won election to New York's 21st Congressional District, wasted no time making a name for himself — and it wasn't exactly the kind of name Republican leaders in Washington were hoping for.
During a profanity-laden victory speech that stretched 31 minutes, Constantino kicked a reporter out of the room and publicly called on President Donald Trump to consider pardoning Sean "Diddy" Combs, the incarcerated music mogul convicted of prostitution across state lines, according to Fox News Politics.
"I think President Trump should consider freeing Diddy," Constantino said, referring to the producer. Moments before that request, he added: "Where's my lawyer at? I have a very good lawyer. Listen, I'm fighting for New York. I want to bring excitement back to New York. I want to bring jobs back to New York."
The speech, which also featured a rapper friend performing a freestyle tribute to his congressional election, showcased a candidate who is anything but a typical freshman lawmaker. At points, Constantino adopted an openly combative tone — especially toward members of the press.
"Listen to me, scumbags. Telling people the truth is the right thing to do. I had to listen to you a–holes say 'dairy farmer Blake Gendebien,'" Constantino said, referring to news coverage of his Democratic challenger. "He's not a dairy farmer; his parents were dairy farmers … but you wouldn't say that because you're a bunch of f—ing a–holes."
He then singled out a reporter in the room.
"Actually, do me a favor. This guy is so — he's looking at me. Kick him out. Just kick him out. Get him out of here. You're just a rude person. If you want to be tough on me, get out. Go right now. I'm not playing games with you. You deleted two of my interviews … bye bye," Constantino said.
The spectacle stands in stark contrast to the demeanor of the district's outgoing incumbent, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the former No. 3 Republican in the House and Trump's first pick to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik was widely considered a rising star within the Republican Party, and her departure from the seat opened the door for Constantino's unconventional campaign.
According to Fox News Politics, Constantino's brazen speech also raises questions about whether he earnestly hopes to see the administration pardon Combs, who was convicted of prostitution across state lines. The president has not publicly responded to Constantino's request.
The 21st District, which covers a large swath of upstate New York, has leaned Republican in recent cycles, but Constantino's bombastic style may test the patience of even the most Trump-friendly voters. During his speech, he touched on political allies, enemies, the media, power struggles and his vision for the country — all while embracing a combative posture that seemed designed to generate headlines.
For a party that just lost majority control of the House and Senate in last week's midterms, according to HuffPost, the last thing Republican leaders need is a freshman congressman making national news for profanity and a pardon request for a convicted sex offender. But Constantino appears uninterested in playing by Washington's rules.
It is not yet known whether Constantino's request will be taken seriously by the White House, or whether the reporter he ejected was permanently barred from future events. What is clear is that Constantino has no intention of softening his approach as he prepares to take office.
Our Take
Let's be honest, folks: this is exactly the kind of unscripted, America First energy that voters sent to Washington to shake things up. Anthony Constantino isn't a career politician. He's a businessman and a former boxer who built Sticker Mule into a successful company and decided to take on the swamp. When he says he's fighting for New York, he means it — and he's not afraid to tell the media exactly what he thinks of their dishonest coverage.
But the Diddy pardon request? That's a bridge too far. Sean Combs was convicted of prostitution across state lines — a serious crime that has no place in a conservative platform focused on law and order. Constantino may have been riding the high of victory, but asking Trump to free a convicted sex offender is not the kind of bold leadership we need. It's a distraction that hands ammunition to the left and undermines the real work of securing borders, cutting taxes, and dismantling the administrative state.
Constantino's profanity and combative style will play well with some patriots who are tired of polite Republicans getting rolled by the media. But there's a difference between being tough and being reckless. Ejecting a reporter might feel satisfying in the moment, but it's the kind of stunt that gets used against us. We need fighters, not performers.
So here's the question for Constantino: Will you use your platform to fight for the America First agenda, or will you become a caricature that the legacy media loves to hate? The voters of NY-21 sent you to Congress to drain the swamp, not to invite the swamp's most notorious inmates to a pardon party. Prove them right — or prove them wrong.
