ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday walked back his controversial comments about American greatness from earlier in the week, calling them "inartful" and saying he believes the country "has always been great."
Cuomo, a Democrat, had been facing continued backlash from President Donald Trump and the governor's Republican foes after saying America "was never that great" while taking a jab at Trump's campaign slogan during a speech in Manhattan on Wednesday.
During a conference call with reporters Friday, Cuomo dialed it back, saying he does not, in fact, question the country's greatness.
"The expression I used the other day was inartful, so I want to be very clear," Cuomo said. "Of course America is great and of course America has always been great. No one questions that."
He continued: "As you know, my family is evidence of American greatness. My grandparents came to this country as poor immigrants and their son became governor and his son became governor. That's never been a question."
Trump has continued to knock Cuomo for his Wednesday remark, tweeting three times about it Friday morning alone.
"Big pushback on Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York for his really dumb statement about America’s lack of greatness," Trump tweeted. "I have already MADE America Great Again, just look at the markets, jobs, military- setting records, and we will do even better. Andrew 'choked' badly, mistake!"