During a heated first debate on Thursday, mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa launched sharp attacks at one another, grappling over issues of inexperience, prior controversies, and views on Israel, all while the specter of President Trump loomed large.
The initial half-hour of the debate saw intense exchanges primarily between Mamdani, 33, the Democratic Socialist nominee, and Cuomo, 67, the former governor now running as an independent.
“If the assemblyman becomes mayor, Donald Trump will effectively control New York City, making it a Mayor Trump administration,” Cuomo asserted, criticizing the Queens state assemblyman’s relative lack of political experience.
Analysis of NYC Mayoral Debate
“He’s never held a legitimate job,” Cuomo continued. He added, “In the event of a crisis like 9/11 or a health emergency, the consequences could be dire under his leadership.”
“If you’re clueless, it could cost lives,” he noted, asserting that mayors lacking executive experience tend to fail.
Highlights from the First NYC Mayoral Debate
- Cuomo confronts Mamdani on DSA’s decriminalization of prostitution during the debate
- Mamdani struggles to clarify funding for $10B in ‘free services’
- Cuomo criticizes Mamdani for labeling the NYPD ‘racist’
- Mamdani faced backlash for his inexperience: ‘He has never held a job’
- Mamdani criticized for remaining silent on Hamas and endorsing ‘Globalize the Intifada’
“This isn’t a role for amateurs,” Cuomo warned.
Mamdani quickly retorted, accusing Cuomo of failing during his leadership, which he claimed resulted in unnecessary COVID-19 deaths.
“Why would New Yorkers trust the governor who is responsible for sending seniors to their deaths during a health crisis?” he said.
Stay updated with The Post’s live coverage of the 2025 NYC Mayoral Debate
When the former governor spoke about his determination to counter Trump at every turn, Mamdani seized the moment to highlight Cuomo’s lackluster response to the Trump administration’s threats against state Attorney General Letitia James.
“Unless he uses the justice system as a weapon against the state attorney general, you’ll only issue vague statements that don’t even mention the president,” he remarked.
In a sharp contrast, Sliwa challenged both candidates regarding bail loopholes, the Raise the Age legislation, and plans concerning Rikers Island.
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“I’m grateful not to be a career politician because they have contributed to the crime surge we’re currently experiencing in the city,” he stated.
The WNBC debate marks the first face-to-face encounter for Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa in this unpredictable mayoral race.
A second debate is set for October 22 at 7 p.m. on NY1.
