Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has defended campaigning for mayor in a white Ford Bronco, saying the distinctive car has nothing to do with the late O.J. Simpson.
On the eve of Election Day in New York City, the independent mayoral candidate shared a video to Instagram where he defended hopping in what he described as his “Good luck truck,” after social media users were bewildered to see him in the vehicle.
Newsweek has contacted a representative for Cuomo outside of regular working hours for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The New York City mayoral election has captured national attention in a unique way, with Cuomo set to face off as an independent candidate against state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
The white Ford Bronco was made infamous in June of 1994 by O.J. Simpson, when the ex-football star led police on a two-hour chase across Southern California in the car, after being charged with murder in the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
The former star running back’s post-NFL career was marred by a controversial acquittal in the famous murder trial that followed. Simpson died at 76 in 2024, following a cancer diagnosis.
What To Know
Politico reporter Jeff Coltin shared a post on X that read, “After a brief speech and some handshakes and selfies, Cuomo ignored my questions and got in the white Ford Bronco to be driven to the next stop in Washington Heights,” and showed Cuomo getting into the vehicle.
As of press time, that post has been viewed 2.6 million times.
Confusion and criticism over the move came swiftly thereafter, and the replies section of that post is filled with jokes about Cuomo and Simpson, including one post from the account @ForAmerica, which edited an image of the 1994 police chase to feature Cuomo in the infamous white Ford Bronco, flanked by police, which was viewed over 25,000 times.
“It’s not the O.J. Bronco,” Cuomo said in a video posted to his Instagram in response.
“A lot of questions have been asked,” he says in the clip, viewed over 30,000 times on Instagram. “This is a 1996 Ford Bronco, yes, it is an oldie, but it is a goodie, it is a classic. If you know your stuff, you know that 1996 is the last year for the full-size Bronco.”
“I’ve had it for many, many years, many good memories,” he said.
He goes on to point to a stripe on the side of the car, which he says, “Clearly distinguishes it from the O.J. Bronco.”
What People Are Saying
Andrew Cuomo, speaking in his Instagram video: “While not the O.J. Bronco, it is still a classic piece of automobilia history, and it’s my good luck truck, and that’s why I took it out at the end of the campaign. Because we’re going to win. Why? Because of this, Ford Bronco.”
Social media user, @SAMGREIS, in a post on X viewed over 30,000 times: “Nothing more Cuomo than not one person being like ‘hmmm maybe not a 1993 white ford bronco.'”
Keith Edwards, a Democratic Strategist, in a post on X: “Cuomo’s closing campaign message: “That’s not the OJ bronco.” ??!?!.”
Social media user @KathleenWood730, in a post on X: “It’s not the OJ Bronco. It’s the Cuomo Bronco! A symbol of loyalty, grit, and New York toughness. He’s had it since his kids were little, and he’s bringing it back for great reasons: good luck and victory. The man, the mission, & the Bronco are unstoppable! Vote Cuomo for mayor tomorrow.”
What’s Next
The mayoral election is set for November 4.
