Story highlights Cruz "is practicing the politics of division. He's trying to divide people. He's trying to divide this country," Cuomo said

"I think most people know exactly what New York values are: socially liberal, pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion, focused on money and the media," Cruz said

Washington (CNN) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday that Ted Cruz's comment about "New York values" was divisive and "anti-American."

"Not only is what he said anti-New York, it's anti-American. I think it's sad. I think it's disturbing for all Americans -- not just New York," he told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day." "He is practicing the politics of division. He's trying to divide people. He's trying to divide this country. It doesn't work and it's antithetical to who we are."

Cruz criticized Donald Trump this week -- including at Thursday's Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate -- for embodying "New York values."

Trump pushed back on the attack with an impassioned response on the role that New York values played in helping the city and country as a whole recover following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

But Cruz said the American people understood what he meant.

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