The first debate among the three men running for New York City mayor was marked by heated back-and-forths about crime, qualifications, Israel, affordability — and President Trump.
Mr. Trump has made no secret that he doesn’t want Mamdani to win, saying last month, “I don’t like to see a communist become mayor, I will tell you that.”
Cuomo also asserted that Mamdani has little work experience, saying, “This is no job for on-the-job training.”
Mr. Trump made it a central theme of his re-election bid.
And all three refused to raise their hand in a show of support for a possible effort by Mr. Trump to send National Guard troops to the city.
Intense back-and-forths concerning crime, qualifications, Israel, affordability, and President Trump characterized the first debate between the three men vying for the position of mayor of New York City.
The Democratic candidate, former governor Zohran Mamdani, is an assemblyman. On Thursday night, Republican candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo repeatedly attacked one another.
Sliwa stated after only fifteen minutes that “this room has a lot of testosterone.”. “.
By labeling Mamdani a democratic socialist and asserting that Mamdani called former President Barack Obama an “evil liar,” Cuomo attempted to establish himself as the obvious choice for Democratic voters in the deep blue city. “,”.
Mr. “I don’t like to see a communist become mayor, I will tell you that,” Trump said last month, making it clear that he doesn’t want Mamdani to win. “.”.
Additionally, Cuomo claimed that Mamdani lacked work experience, stating, “This is not a position that requires on-the-job training. “.”.
Mamdani replied, “My integrity makes up for my lack of experience.”. “You could never make up for your lack of integrity with experience. “..”.
Mamdani disparaged Cuomo, suggesting that he has some sort of connection to the president and calling him an old-fashioned politician who will only provide more of the same to New Yorkers.
When asked who they thought was the best mayor of New York City, that was the only time the two agreed. The two mentioned Fiorello LaGuardia, who held the position from 1934 to 1945.
The primary concern was the issue of affordability.
Mr. It became the main focus of Trump’s campaign for reelection. According to polls, it helped him win a lot of support.
Additionally, Mamdani was in the lead in a CBS News poll conducted last month, with a particularly large disparity among respondents who cited the cost of living as their top concern.
“This debate has lasted an hour and twenty minutes, and we haven’t heard Governor Cuomo use the word ‘affordability,'” Mamdani said at one point. He lost the Democratic primary as a result. “.”.
Time and again, the topic seemed to return to antisemitism and the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state.
“The congressman has yet to declare his belief that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state. Cuomo charged, “He has a divisive personality.”.
Mandami pushed back, a Muslim.
I’ve stated repeatedly that I accept Israel’s right to exist. He remarked, “I have stated that I will not recognize any state’s—”.
“As a Jewish state,” stated Cuomo.
As Mamdani put it, “I said that I will not—”.
“As a Jewish state,” stated Cuomo.
According to Mamdani, “If I would be allowed to finish,”.
“All right,” Cuomo said.
According to Mamdani, “I would not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion.”.
Without his trademark red beret, Sliwa attacked Cuomo often. Both are attempting to draw in moderate voters.
Not a single candidate supported Gov. Kathy Hochul, in her attempt to be reelected. And none of the three waved their hands in support of Mr. Trump’s potential attempt to send National Guard troops to the city.
Sliwa responded that it was at a Veterans Day Parade many years ago, while Cuomo said it was following the 2024 assassination attempt on Mr. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Mamdani stated that he has never had a conversation with him.
There were some humorous moments during the debate, such as inquiries concerning breakfast orders and whether the candidates had ever bought marijuana from a cannabis store. Mamdani said he had, grinning broadly and appearing flushed.
The following debate is scheduled for October. 22 prior to the Nov. Election number four.
