2:38Candidates for mayor, including Independent choice ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican selection Curtis Sliwa, and Democratic choice Zohran Mamdani, engaged in a mayoral discussion at Rockefeller Center on October 16, 2025, situated in New York City. The contenders for the position of New York City mayor confronted each other in their initial debate leading up to the November 4 election. Pool/Getty Images
Throughout a heated exchange Wednesday evening, the leading three mayoral hopefuls in New York City argued about who possessed the suitable background to govern the metropolis and their strategies regarding President Donald Trump.
The discussion marked the initial occasion for Democratic candidate and state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani, independent contender and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican representative and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa to convene jointly — merely weeks after current Mayor Eric Adams halted his campaign for reelection.
The trio of candidates — each having previously encountered disagreements with Trump — were questioned on their prospective remarks during their imagined introductory official dialogue with the president.
Mayoral candidates, Independent nominee former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani participate in a mayoral debate at Rockefeller Center on October 16, 2025 in New York City. The candidates for New York City mayor are facing off in their first debate ahead of the November 4 election.Pool/Getty Images
Trump’s potential to withhold federal resources from New York City should Mamdani secure the election has cast a shadow over the campaign.
Cuomo suggested that during his hypothetical inaugural exchange, "I would convey to the president — in our opening discourse, understand that we’ve experienced countless conflicts … and the skirmishes were intense, which I’d prefer to avoid… I’m prepared to challenge you at every turn if you endeavor to harm New York."
Mamdani jumped in, making a reference to the recent accusation against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
"Unless he utilizes the judicial system as a weapon to target the Attorney General of this state, in which case you’ll disseminate a statement devoid of even mentioning the president," Mamdani stated, labeling it as "an act lacking courage."
New York City mayoral candidate, Democratic Zohran Mamdani, speaks during a mayoral debate in New York on October 16, 2025. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis / POOL / AFP)Angelina Katsanis/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Cuomo rebutted, emphasizing that, within his statement, he articulated that "the utilization of the justice system for political gain is erroneous" irrespective of the instigating party, including instances involving James.
Sliwa, conversely, recalled his prolonged "mixed feelings" concerning Trump and critiqued both Cuomo and Mamdani for their pronouncements on confronting the president.
"Listen, exhibiting strength is permissible, yet not at the expense of depriving individuals of much-needed federal funding," he stated, referring to Trump’s threats of resource obstruction for the city should Mamdani secure the election.
Sliwa, the Republican contender, presented his stance as a compromise, stating his advocacy for funds allocated towards endeavors like the Gateway Tunnel linking New York City and New Jersey — which Trump recently declared would be "terminated" — while expressing opposition to the Q train initiative aimed at expanding subway coverage on the respective line within Harlem.
Cuomo, when subsequently questioned on reports indicating scrutiny from the Trump Justice Department regarding his oversight of the COVID-19 pandemic during his tenure as New York governor, declared that he is "advocating for New York. I will persist relentlessly, and I caution: were the assemblyman [Mamdani] elected, 'Mayor Donald Trump' would seize command of New York City — effectively becoming 'Mayor Trump.'"
Independent candidate and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a mayoral debate, in New York, U.S., October 16, 2025.Angelina Katsanis/via Reuters
Cuomo fielded inquiries pertaining to his previous experience as governor, notably the accusations of sexual misconduct that eventually precipitated his resignation.
Cuomo characterized the allegations, which he has refuted, as "politically motivated," and emphasized his prior roles as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development within the Clinton administration, alongside his period as governor.
"I ensured governmental effectiveness. I enacted pioneering statutes encompassing minimum wage, paid family leave, and previously unrealized projects," Cuomo stated.
Mamdani accentuated his background as a New York state legislator, "advocating for and securing triumphs for laboring taxi operators to liberate them from exploitative debt, alongside initiating the inaugural free bus networks in New York City’s history, [and] collaborating with labor unions and the working class of New York to incrementally augment taxation on Mr. Cuomo’s contributors to initiate the comprehensive funding of our public education system."
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa speaks during a mayoral debate at Rockefeller Center on October 16, 2025 in New York City. The candidates for New York City mayor are facing off in their first debate ahead of the November 4 election.Pool/Getty Images
Cuomo then promptly countered Mamdani, expressing, "This role is unsuitable for someone devoid of administrative expertise to oversee 300,000 personnel, and without fiscal prowess to manage a $115 billion budget. He essentially lacks prior employment." (Mamdani is a state legislator.) "His qualifications reflect an internship under his mother."
Cuomo further noted that "This position is not tailored for a novice. Any day, one could confront a hurricane, or worse, a 9/11 event, or a health crisis."
Mamdani interrupted, reverting to Cuomo's handling of the COVID pandemic, notably referencing a contentious directive from March 2020 to readmit COVID-19 patients to care facilities.
"Should a health crisis arise, why would New Yorkers reinstate the governor who directed the elderly to their demise in care facilities?" Mamdani inquired. "Such is the experience being proposed today. What I may lack in experience, I compensate for in rectitude, and what you lack in rectitude, experience can never remedy."
Cuomo has provided a defense for his administration of the COVID-19 pandemic and attributed the substantial death toll within the state to inadequate stewardship from the federal government during Trump’s opening term.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
