Embattled Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is still on former President Donald Trump’s team.
Trump told The Post Sunday he still backs Malliotakis, the sole New York City Republican in the House of Representatives whose district takes in Staten Island and southern Brooklyn, despite being among the 13 Republicans who broke ranks and voted for President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill.
The former president ripped the 13 Republicans who voted for the bill during a speech at a recent National Republican Congressional Committee dinner.
But Trump told The Post all is well after Malliotakis called him last week to discuss the matter.
“She spoke to me. I still support her,” Trump said of Malliotakis, who toppled Democratic incumbent Rep. Max Rose last year in what is considered a purple or toss-up district.
Trump’s continued backing of Malliotakis boosts her chances against any potential primary challenges and also improves her odds of winning re-election next year.
Malliotakis said she called Trump to talk about their disagreement and try to patch things up.
“I spoke to President Trump. He’s still with me. I’m still with him. It’s important to me,” said Malliotakis said, when asked about her relationship with the ex-president.
Trump is still the most powerful force in the Republican Party with particular sway in Staten Island.
Trump’s real estate firm owned and managed apartments in the city’s most conservative borough for decades.
Ex-Rep. Vito Fossella credited Trump’s support with clinching his comeback victory in the GOP primary for borough president.
Malliotakis would “only say we had a good conversation” when asked about the chat with Trump.
Trump has threatened to support primary challengers against most of the House Republicans who voted for the infrastructure bill, though Malliotakis was not listed among them. Pro-vote Reps. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania also escaped Trump’s enemies list.
Malliotakis defended her infrastructure vote to spruce up run down roads and bridges and ports.
The congresswoman also likely improved her standing Friday when she blasted and voted against President Biden’s nearly $2 trillion Build Back Better Bill.