STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Patriotic artist and activist Scott LoBaido is recovering in stable condition after suffering a medical emergency shortly after confronting Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a Staten Island appearance.
According to attendees, Mayor Mamdani was met by a vocal crowd of protesters and, during his brief remarks, acknowledged LoBaido by saying, “Thank you, my brother Scott LoBaido, great artist but we disagree on politics.”
Moments later, LoBaido collapsed in front of hundreds of onlookers and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is now listed in stable condition.
Asked whether the scare would cause him to slow down, LoBaido was unequivocal saying: “I’ll fight for what I believe in every day of the week rather than sit back while we get trampled on. I’m okay and ready to get back into the fight.”
His message to the Mayor was equally direct: “Stay the ____ away from Ground Zero.”
LoBaido said he believes the site should always honor the memory of those lost on September 11 and reiterated his disappointment that his proposal for a permanent giant American flag at Ground Zero has stalled.
The first sign that he was recovering came when his girlfriend shared a photo from his hospital bed—LoBaido smiling in his trademark fashion, defiantly raising his middle finger.
By the following morning, LoBaido was already discussing future projects.
Asked whether nearly dying had changed his outlook, he laughed.
“If I have to leave here early, at least you’re going to remember me, honey. And you should’ve bought my $&@/ing art while you had the chance.”
Though he has not yet announced when he will be discharged, LoBaido says one thing is certain: “Don’t worry. I’m not done fighting. Keep an eye on the sky—you never know what Scott LoBaido project is coming next.”
