Metro

Liberals hold up CUNY board appointment over Gaga ‘slut’ comment

Liberal legislators are holding up Gov. Cuomo’s nomination of an 83-year-old conservative to CUNY’s Board of Trustees because he once called Lady Gaga a “slut.’’

The possible appointment of James Molinaro, Staten Island’s former borough president, has enraged Democrats in the state Senate because of his controversial comments, including his jab at the pop star and his desire to slash funds for teen moms, sources told The Post.

Among those taking sides in the bizarre battle is Manhattan Sen. Liz Krueger, who fumes that Molinaro’s views are offensive to women and poor people, legislative sources told The Post.

“To me, she’s not an actress — she is a slut in the pure meaning of the word,” Molinaro said of the “Bad Romance’’ singer in 2012.

Molinaro criticized Gaga while launching a campaign aimed at getting teens to avoid drugs and booze.

He said Gaga — who has admitted to her use of marijuana and other drugs — is a bad role model.

The Conservative Party powerbroker’s views on cutting funding for unwed teen moms may be more problematic for progressives.

Molinaro last year complained that the lion’s share of costs for teen births in the city are paid by taxpayers via Medicaid and other programs.

“Now add to that free housing, welfare payments and food stamps, and you’re not only imposing a great cost to the taxpayers, but an incentive program for children to have children,” he said.

“Stop rewarding the bad behavior. We have an obligation to take care of that child, make sure the child gets clothed, gets fed . . . but not to enhance the mother’s lifestyle,” Molinaro said at the time.

The city should tell teen moms to “stay home with your mother,” he said.

Legislative insiders confirmed that Cuomo’s office last month asked that Molinaro’s confirmation be temporarily set aside to avoid a messy public fight.

But the sources also said Cuomo has the Senate votes to push through Molinaro’s appointment — with backing from Republicans and the Independent Democratic Caucus — in the final days of the legislative session.

Molinaro on Sunday said he had gone to Albany for the hearing and expected to be confirmed. But he said he was told the vote was postponed without explanation.

He defended his positions.

“I am what I am,” said Molinaro, who, while never having gone to college, has championed CUNY. “Babies shouldn’t have babies. We shouldn’t reward them.”

Krueger declined to comment.