Cuomo on his ‘inartful’ remark: ‘Of course America is great’

andrew-cuomo

FILE - In this May 10, 2018 file photo, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference in New York. New York Gov. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at a bill signing event in Manhattan, Cuomo said that America "was never that great" during remarks criticizing Republican President Donald Trump and his slogan "Make America Great Again," saying America won't be truly great until all Americans have true equality. Republicans quickly pounced on Cuomo's remarks. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

andrew-cuomo

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he was “inartful” when he said this week that America “was never that great.”

The Democrat told reporters on Friday that he believes America “has always been great.”

He said he was trying to criticize Republican President Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” when he made the widely criticized comment at a Manhattan bill signing Wednesday.

The remark prompted Trump to tweet that Cuomo was having a “total meltdown.”

Cuomo is running for a third-term this fall and is considered a possible White House contender in 2020.

On Friday he said he has no plans to run for president though he said he will continue to criticize Trump, who is scheduled to attend a Long Island fundraiser later Friday.