3:19Former New York Governor and democratic candidate for New York City Mayor Andrew Cuomo appears on The View, Oct. 6, 2025.ABC News
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo expressed on "The View" this Monday that it would constitute a “boon” for President Donald Trump should Zohran Mamdani triumph in the November election and secure the role of New York City’s next mayor.
Cuomo mentioned that he’s the “final individual” Trump desires to see as mayor, alluding to their past interactions during his time as New York’s governor. “We were at odds on a regular basis,” Cuomo stated.
He asserted that a Mamdani victory would trigger a federal intervention in New York City, after which Trump would showcase Mamdani in subsequent elections as a cautionary tale regarding the perils of electing a radical leftist.
Former New York Governor and democratic candidate for New York City Mayor Andrew Cuomo appears on The View, Oct. 6, 2025.ABC News
Trump “will grab a picture of Mamdani and parade it around the nation, exclaiming, ‘Behold what has befallen the Democrats,'” Cuomo conveyed. “Mamdani is a windfall for him… as it presents the justification he needs to seize control of New York, a move he has voiced intentions to execute.”
The Mamdani campaign is countering Cuomo’s declarations on "The View,” instead charging Cuomo with aiming to “extend a warm welcome” to the president.
“Donald Trump, alongside his coterie of billionaire benefactors, has unequivocally signaled that Andrew Cuomo stands as their favored candidate for mayor,” the Mamdani campaign articulated in a statement shared with ABC News. “When Trump dispatched the National Guard to Los Angeles, Cuomo cautioned New Yorkers against overreacting – and when Trump commenced the deportation of our community members, Cuomo sought his counsel on political matters. New Yorkers recognize that while Andrew Cuomo would merely roll out the red carpet for Trump, Zohran will embody a mayor who staunchly defends us against Trump’s authoritarian inclinations and endeavors to forge a more accessible city.”
Cuomo refuted assertions from Mamdani and various critics suggesting he’s Trump’s favored choice in the contest. Cuomo also disputed reports within the New York Times indicating he had lately conversed about the race during a call with Trump.
New York City’s mayoral election is now between three contenders, notably Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, subsequent to Mayor Eric Adams’ recent withdrawal from the race. He clarified that the contest boils down to a democratic socialist in Mamdani and himself, a true Democrat.
“What is genuinely unfolding is an internal conflict brewing within the Democratic Party, as the Democratic Party seeks to define its identity. This reveals two divergent factions: democratic socialists versus traditional Democrats, where the former group champions a radical perspective distinct from the core tenets of the Democratic Party,” Cuomo observed this Monday on "The View."
In the wake of Adams’ declaration of his exit from the mayoral race, Cuomo extended his regards and acknowledged that his departure undeniably reshapes the competitive landscape. He cautioned that New Yorkers should experience “unease” at the prospect of a triumph by Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
“I am convinced that Mayor Adams is entirely genuine in his intentions. I commend his selflessness. It prompts us to contemplate whether our actions serve personal aspirations or a broader purpose. I believe Mayor Adams’ statement today speaks volumes,” Cuomo remarked at the time. “He conveyed that he would set aside his individual ambitions for the welfare of the city, out of apprehension regarding the potential repercussions should Mr. Mamdani secure victory in the election. We ought to collectively share in this apprehension.”
And Adams stepping away from active campaigning has an impact, Cuomo elaborated: “The significance transcends mere polling data. It’s crucial to recognize that the mayor, as the incumbent, wields considerable influence in the campaign. The absence of his active campaigning fundamentally reshapes the race’s dynamics.”
Even so, Cuomo is navigating a challenging campaign, particularly after Mamdani’s surprising victory during the June Democratic primary. The ex-governor has been behind the Democratic nominee in the majority of polls, and Mamdani has garnered noteworthy endorsements, notably from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Cuomo has encountered examination throughout his mayoral bid, stemming from his departure from the governor’s office four years prior, amidst escalating accusations of sexual harassment.
Former New York Governor and democratic candidate for New York City Mayor Andrew Cuomo appears on The View, Oct. 6, 2025.ABC News
During his appearance on The View, Cuomo said he currently conducts himself with greater prudence, in light of the “profoundly unsettling” claims.
“I absorbed a lesson, a distressing lesson, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness regarding every utterance, whether it be a jest or a remark,” Cuomo conveyed this Monday. “I will abstain from offering a cheek kiss unless initiated by the other party. Thus, I gleaned the imperative to exercise utmost caution, acknowledging the emergence of a tangible sensitivity. Should individuals harbor such sentiments, they hold veracity and merit due regard.”
Cuomo tendered apologies in 2021, upon the initial surfacing of the accusations, yet he has steadfastly maintained his innocence, regardless of a state attorney general inquiry which alleged him of harassing 11 women. No charges of wrongdoing were ever filed against him.
Mamdani and diverse adversaries have asserted that Cuomo remains ineligible for holding office.
The former governor was defeated in the Democratic primary after three rounds of ranked choice voting by approximately 130,000 votes. Cuomo pressed forward and soon after the defeat, announced that he would carry on running as an independent candidate.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
