Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo Clash Over Policy and Trump in Fiery NYC Mayoral Debate. The New York mayoral debate between Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani erupted into a heated exchange over crime, Gaza, and Donald Trump, with both candidates accusing each other of hypocrisy and poor leadership. The debate, broadcast by NBC New York and Telemundo New York in partnership with Politico, also featured Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Both Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, and Cuomo, running as an independent, began by promising to lower costs for New Yorkers — but civility quickly gave way to personal attacks. Mamdani slammed Cuomo over his handling of nursing homes during the Covid pandemic, saying, “What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. And what you don’t have in integrity, you could never make up for in experience.” Cuomo, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations he denies, argued the mayorship was “no job for on-the-job training.” Trump’s role in the race dominated parts of the debate. Mamdani vowed to stand up to Trump’s threats to cut federal funding, saying: “If he ever wants to come for New Yorkers, he’ll have to get through me.” Cuomo denied reports that he’d spoken with Trump about the race, insisting he’d had “bloody battles” with the president during the pandemic. The two also sparred over who represents the “real Democratic Party.” Cuomo accused Mamdani — a member of the Democratic Socialists of America — of disloyalty…while Mamdani said Cuomo stood for “Trump and his donors.” Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT