NYC Artist Scott LoBaido Says He ‘Died for Two Minutes’ After Cardiac Arrest While Trying to Confront Socialist Mayor Mamdani

Patriotic New York City artist Scott LoBaido says he was dead for two minutes after suffering cardiac arrest at a pro-police event on Staten Island.

The 61-year-old activist collapsed Tuesday night at the NYPD’s National Night Out Against Crime gathering in Midland Beach, shortly after trying to approach socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

LoBaido survived because emergency personnel moved fast with CPR, oxygen and a defibrillator.

The mayor’s appearance had already drawn a furious response from Staten Islanders. Video shows Mamdani smiling through a wall of boos before keeping his remarks remarkably brief:

Mayor Mamdani got booed on Staten Island at the NYPD National Night Out event at Midland Beach, per this Facebook video. He smiled through it and kept remarks *very* short. pic.twitter.com/eswUhADDms

— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) August 5, 2026

LoBaido had gone to the event after publicly hammering Mamdani over a freeze affecting thousands of NYPD hires and accusing the mayor of humiliating officers and putting police lives at risk.

According to the New York Post, LoBaido tried to approach Mamdani after the mayor’s remarks at the Midland Beach boardwalk. Police held the artist back, and a witness said LoBaido soon complained that he was not feeling well before collapsing.

First responders immediately began CPR and used a defibrillator. LoBaido started breathing again, received oxygen and was taken by ambulance to Staten Island University Hospital.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed that LoBaido had suffered cardiac arrest and was initially in critical but stable condition. South Shore City Councilman Frank Morano said LoBaido was alert while being transported and was receiving excellent care.

The witness who watched the rescue unfold said he feared LoBaido was gone and credited the emergency crew with doing an outstanding job.

That rescue looks even more remarkable after the message LoBaido sent from his hospital bed.

Real America’s Voice host Grant Stinchfield shared LoBaido’s update: “I actually died for 2 minutes. Medics in hand brought me back just in time.”

The broadcast clip relayed LoBaido’s message and called for prayers as he recovered:

SCOTT LOBAIDO DIED FOR 2 MINUTES AFTER CONFRONTING MAMDANI@stinchfield1776 shared a dramatic update on activist @ScottLoBaido after a confrontation at a New York event. According to a message LoBaido sent from the hospital, "I actually died for 2 minutes. Medics in hand… pic.twitter.com/p5zto9SXbo

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) August 5, 2026

LoBaido is one of New York’s most recognizable conservative artists. He is known for giant American flag murals, live patriotic paintings and demonstrations aimed at left-wing politicians.

His long-running feud with Mamdani has been especially blunt.

During Mamdani’s 2025 campaign, LoBaido confronted the then-candidate during a Staten Island stop and was arrested outside the event. He later erected a giant middle-finger sculpture aimed at the mayor outside City Hall.

Tuesday’s scene carried a bitter irony: a fierce defender of police went into cardiac arrest at a pro-cop event, and first responders brought him back.

True to form, LoBaido posted a hospital-bed photo after surviving the ordeal:

…. pic.twitter.com/kLGmIrRB5I

— Scott LoBaido (@ScottLoBaido) August 5, 2026

Whatever political fight brought LoBaido to Midland Beach, the men and women trained to save lives answered when the moment came.

They did not hesitate. Scott LoBaido is alive because they were ready.