Zohran Mamdani dodges attacks, straight answers — and can’t say how he’ll pay for socialist proposals in heated NYC mayoral debate
NY Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani speaks during the first NYC Mayoral debate before the general election at Rockefeller Center on Oct. 16, 2025. Getty Images
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Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani sidestepped tough questions and offered few specifics as he navigated a barrage of attacks from former Governor Andrew Cuomo during Thursday’s first general election mayoral debate.
The spirited debate at 30 Rockefeller Center also featured Republican Curtis Sliwa, whose sharp one-liners added flair, but the two-hour showdown left many New Yorkers uncertain about how the candidates would handle the day-to-day responsibilities of leading the nation’s largest city.
Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani stand on stage during the mayoral debate on Oct. 16, 2025.Getty Images
Former NY Gov. and Independent NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo answers a question during the debate.via REUTERS
Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner, stayed focused on his message of affordability but struggled to explain how he would implement his platform. When pressed on controversial issues, he often provided vague or evasive answers.
“Well, Zohran, boy, you have fantasies,” Sliwa said at one point. “It’s never going to come about. Free, free, free. Let’s deal with reality.”
Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, repeatedly targeted Mamdani’s Democratic Socialists of America-backed policies, including his stance on prostitution, misdemeanors, Israel, and his past criticism of the NYPD. Cuomo also questioned Mamdani’s lack of executive experience.
“He has literally never had a job,” Cuomo said, warning that a crisis like 9/11 or a health pandemic could test his readiness.
Both Cuomo and Sliwa clearly hoped to make a splash in the debate as polls consistently showed Mamdani holding onto a double-digit lead heading into November’s election.Getty Images
Despite the pressure, Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman, remained composed, weaving promises of free buses, universal childcare, and rent freezes with pointed criticisms linking Cuomo to President Trump and wealthy elites.
“As much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020—around the same time he was sending seniors to their deaths in nursing homes—I am looking to work with police officers, not defund the NYPD,” Mamdani said.
The debate revisited old controversies for Cuomo, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sexual harassment scandal that led to his resignation. Sliwa, meanwhile, drew on personal anecdotes, recalling being shot in a yellow cab in 1992 by members of the Gambino and Gotti crime families, to make his points.
Sliwa didn’t spare Mamdani either, calling the democratic socialist’s plan to deal with mentally ill individuals with teams of cops and mental health workers “fantasy.”Getty Images
The Guardian Angels founder served up deep-cut blows on Cuomo’s record as governor – and at one point bitingly comparing the political scion to his father: “You are no Mario Cuomo.”AP
Sliwa also criticized Cuomo’s record, comparing him unfavorably to his father, Mario Cuomo, and reminding the former governor that he lost his own primary.
Despite their attacks, Mamdani remained unfazed, repeatedly returning to his affordability agenda. He provided few answers on how he would fund his $10 billion in proposed social programs, particularly given Governor Kathy Hochul’s opposition to raising taxes.
Mamdani acknowledged he no longer supports defunding the police but said he would not increase the force’s current ranks, which are short by about 1,500 officers. He defended his support for decriminalizing sex work while expressing conditional support for a cease-fire deal with Hamas.
The debate included back-and-forth on key issues like rent freezes, climate regulations, and handling mental health crises. Critics argued the discussion clarified little about the candidates’ governing plans.
“The debate was a sobering reminder that whoever wins in November, New Yorkers could face challenges,” said one Democratic strategist. “Mamdani has vulnerabilities on major issues, but he is smooth, on message, and virtually unflappable. Cuomo and Sliwa had strong moments, but they spent two hours trying to unsettle him and failed.”
Cuomo also reflected on his primary loss, citing his lack of social media engagement, particularly on platforms like TikTok, which Mamdani leveraged effectively.
“I just have to say it’s been over an hour of this debate, and we haven’t heard Governor Cuomo say the word ‘affordable,’” Mamdani noted. “That’s why he lost the primary. That’s why he’ll lose the general election.”
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