NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has thrown down a challenge to US President Donald Trump , daring him to face off in a televised debate amid escalating tensions in the mayoral race.
The Democratic Socialist candidate issued the dare after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged him on Thursday to take part in five debates, one in each borough.
“Let’s cut out the middle man,” Mamdani told The New York Post. “Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?”
Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary, accused Trump of trying to interfere in the mayoral contest, citing reported phone conversations between them. He insisted Trump should defend his record directly.
“If Donald Trump is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly about why he’s cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers to give tax breaks to his wealthy donors,” Mamdani said..
Cuomo's call for five debates
Cuomo, still a strong contender in the crowded November field, blasted Mamdani for declining debate invitations from PIX11 and CBS News.
“New Yorkers deserve answers. I challenge him to five debates, one in every borough where we speak about the issues in that borough,” Cuomo said at a press conference.
Mamdani, however, has said he will only take part in the two debates scheduled by the city’s campaign finance board in October. “In the meantime, I won’t be at this televised circus,” he told voters in a video message.
Meanwhile, sources told The New York Post that administration officials had considered offering jobs to mayor Eric Adams and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa in a bid to persuade them to exit the race—an outcome that could strengthen Cuomo’s chances against Mamdani.
The Democratic Socialist candidate issued the dare after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged him on Thursday to take part in five debates, one in each borough.
“Let’s cut out the middle man,” Mamdani told The New York Post. “Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?”
Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary, accused Trump of trying to interfere in the mayoral contest, citing reported phone conversations between them. He insisted Trump should defend his record directly.
“If Donald Trump is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly about why he’s cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers to give tax breaks to his wealthy donors,” Mamdani said..
Cuomo's call for five debates
Cuomo, still a strong contender in the crowded November field, blasted Mamdani for declining debate invitations from PIX11 and CBS News.
“New Yorkers deserve answers. I challenge him to five debates, one in every borough where we speak about the issues in that borough,” Cuomo said at a press conference.
Mamdani, however, has said he will only take part in the two debates scheduled by the city’s campaign finance board in October. “In the meantime, I won’t be at this televised circus,” he told voters in a video message.
Meanwhile, sources told The New York Post that administration officials had considered offering jobs to mayor Eric Adams and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa in a bid to persuade them to exit the race—an outcome that could strengthen Cuomo’s chances against Mamdani.
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