Cuomo Challenges Mamdani to Five NYC Mayoral Debates, Mamdani Counters with Trump Challenge

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has publicly challenged Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race, to five debates across the city's five boroughs. The challenge, issued on Thursday, September 4, 2025, aims to press Mamdani on his policy positions and perceived evasiveness, with Cuomo stating, "New Yorkers deserve answers. Who is the real @ZohranKMamdani? Why is he avoiding debates? I challenge the Assemblyman to five debates, one in every borough. Show up. Tell New Yorkers who you are and what you really believe, once and for all."

Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani by over 12 percentage points, asserted that Mamdani is a "political chameleon" who lacks majority support among New Yorkers. He criticized Mamdani's past statements, including advocating to "defund the police," being against private property ownership, and supporting government control of the means of production, labeling these views as "absurd" and "out of the mainstream." Cuomo believes a one-on-one contest against Mamdani would be winnable for him.

In a swift rebuttal, Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, rejected Cuomo's challenge and instead proposed a debate with former President Donald Trump. Mamdani's campaign stated, "Let’s cut out the middle man. Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?" This counter-proposal comes amid widespread speculation that Trump's allies are attempting to clear the mayoral field for Cuomo by offering potential federal positions to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

The New York City mayoral race is currently a four-way contest, with Mamdani leading in polls, followed by Cuomo, Adams, and Sliwa. While Trump has denied directly urging candidates to drop out, he has publicly suggested that a consolidated field would benefit Mamdani's opponents. Both Mayor Adams and Curtis Sliwa have firmly stated their refusal to withdraw from the race, emphasizing that voters, not political maneuvering, should determine the outcome.