A friendship that blossomed in the halls of the Albany Academy for Girls has now turned into a bitter feud between Melissa DeRosa and Rep. Elise Stefanik. The two once viewed each other as spunky, smart, and driven students, forming a unique bond that transcended their political differences. They even ran for student council together and mutually supported each other’s ambitions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point in their relationship.
As the pandemic raged on, Elise Stefanik publicly criticized DeRosa’s boss, Governor Andrew Cuomo, calling him the “worst governor in America” for his handling of the crisis. In response, DeRosa privately accused Stefanik of being a partisan hack in a phone call, leading to an explosive argument that severed their ties. The last communication they had was filled with anger and accusations, leaving no room for reconciliation.
In her recent tell-all book, “What’s Left Unsaid,” DeRosa recounts the rise and fall of their friendship. She reveals that Stefanik harbored jealousy towards Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and successfully positioned herself as “the AOC of the right.” These revelations shine a light on the complexities and underlying tensions within their relationship. However, Stefanik has chosen not to address these claims publicly.
The feud between DeRosa and Stefanik took an unexpected turn when an alleged incident occurred at a local bookstore in Albany. According to sources, Stefanik’s mother stormed into the store, expressing her displeasure over the promotion of DeRosa’s book. The source compares the situation to a middle school drama, highlighting the irony of two accomplished women engaging in such behavior. However, a senior advisor for Stefanik denied the incident, stating that Stefanik’s mother was merely purchasing books for her grandson.
The animosity between DeRosa and Stefanik extends beyond the bookstore incident. Alex DeGrasse, a senior advisor for Stefanik, retaliated by accusing DeRosa of buying her own book on Black Friday in an attempt to boost sales. DeGrasse further asserts that the book failed to garner attention and that DeRosa, like her disgraced former boss Cuomo, is now a failed author. The back-and-forth exchanges demonstrate the intense rivalry between the two women.
It is evident that the friendship between DeRosa and Stefanik has crumbled under the weight of political differences and personal grievances. DeRosa has chosen not to engage with Stefanik’s antics, while Stefanik’s camp has dismissed DeRosa as a failed author. The once-promising companionship has dissolved into bitterness and public spats. Whether there is any hope for reconciliation remains uncertain.
DeRosa’s book, in addition to chronicling her complicated friendship with Stefanik, takes aim at other prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Chris Cuomo, President Biden, and Letitia James. It has gained attention and support from well-known personalities like Katie Holmes, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, and Hollywood producer Jane Rosenthal. As the feud continues to make headlines, the possibility of DeRosa pursuing a political career herself remains open, adding another layer of intrigue to the already entangled narrative.
In the end, the Albany feud between Melissa DeRosa and Elise Stefanik serves as a cautionary tale of how friendships can fracture under the strain of political differences and personal attacks. What was once a strong bond forged in their school days has now devolved into bitter rivalries and public feuds. As these two women continue to navigate their respective careers, only time will tell if they can overcome their differences and mend the broken ties of their past friendship.