US Politics

Cuomo rips Mamdani’s victim narrative, says Dem socialist is ‘offender’ against 9/11 families, Jews and more

By Eric October 26, 2025

In a heated exchange during the New York City mayoral race, former Governor Andrew Cuomo has launched a scathing attack on democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of portraying himself as a victim of discrimination while simultaneously offending various groups within the city. During an event where Cuomo received endorsements from several faith leaders, he labeled Mamdani his “main opponent” and criticized him for allegedly dividing and attacking communities, including Jews, Blacks, Italians, members of the LGBTQ community, and even some Muslims. Cuomo’s remarks come at a crucial time as New Yorkers prepare to cast their votes in a tight mayoral race, with the election set for November 4.

Cuomo’s criticism of Mamdani was particularly pointed when addressing the Jewish community, citing a conversation with a Jewish New Yorker who expressed fear about openly wearing a Star of David in the city. He also highlighted Mamdani’s refusal to denounce the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many interpret as a call for violence against Jews. Furthermore, Cuomo took issue with Mamdani’s advocacy for the decriminalization of prostitution, arguing that such a stance is contrary to Islamic teachings. The former governor also scrutinized Mamdani’s associations, including a photo with a Ugandan official known for supporting anti-LGBTQ laws and his friendship with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has made inflammatory comments about the 9/11 attacks. Cuomo emphasized that these actions and associations not only offend specific communities but also resonate deeply with the collective trauma experienced by New Yorkers following the September 11 attacks.

In response to Cuomo’s accusations, Mamdani has claimed that the former governor is employing “Islamophobic rhetoric” to undermine him. He pointed out that while his opponents have propagated hatred, his campaign aims to address the real issues facing New Yorkers. The back-and-forth between the two candidates has intensified as they prepare for the final stretch of the campaign, with Mamdani focusing on Cuomo’s past scandals, including the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation, and Cuomo countering by questioning Mamdani’s experience and past statements against law enforcement. As early voting begins, the race has become a battleground of contrasting visions for New York City, with Cuomo and Mamdani representing differing ideologies and approaches to leadership in a city grappling with complex social issues.

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Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed democratic socialist mayoral candidate
Zohran Mamdani
for painting himself as a victim because he is a Muslim, saying the rival mayoral candidate has spent his campaign offending 9/11 families, Jews and various other groups of New Yorkers.
“He claims that he is the victim of attacks because he is a Muslim. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is not a victim, he is the offender,” Cuomo said Saturday. “This entire campaign, he has been dividing and attacking and offending different New York groups.”
While speaking at an event in which he received the endorsements of several faith leaders,
Cuomo lambasted Mamdani
, who he called his “main opponent.” Cuomo listed a number of groups he says have been hurt by Mamdani, including Jews, Blacks, Italians, members of the LGBTQ community and even some Muslims.
SPARKS FLY AS CUOMO, MAMDANI TEAR INTO EACH OTHER DURING FIERY DEBATE: ‘TOXIC ENERGY’
Cuomo first addressed the Jewish community, saying Mamdani had hurt it “in a truly painful way.” The former governor recounted a recent interaction with a Jewish New Yorker who said he was afraid of wearing a Star of David in the city. In 2023, the UJA-Federation of New York said in
a report
there were just over 1.3 million Jews living in New York City.
He then took issue with Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many see as a call for violence against Jewish people. Mamdani has faced criticism for his refusal to condemn the phrase early in the mayoral race.
The former governor
also said his opponent, who could become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, hurt the Sunni Muslim community by advocating for the decriminalization of prostitution. Cuomo added that, according to the Quran, prostitution is haram, which means “forbidden” in Arabic.
After condemning Mamdani’s gesture toward the Columbus statue and invoking its offense to Italian Americans, Cuomo broadened his criticism. He pointed to a photo of Mamdani with a Ugandan official who backs harsh anti-gay laws, framing it as an affront to the LGBTQ community.
MAMDANI ACCUSES CUOMO OF ‘ISLAMOPHOBIC RHETORIC’ AS CONTENTIOUS NYC MAYORAL RACE COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE
He didn’t stop there. Mamdani’s friendship with
controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker
, who once said “America deserved 9/11,” also drew scrutiny from the former governor.
“You offend 9/11 families. You offend every New Yorker because 9/11 was an attack on all New Yorkers, and it traumatized all New Yorkers. So, no, he’s not the victim. He is the offender, and he has done a great deal of damage,” Cuomo said.
On Friday, Mamdani accused Cuomo of using “Islamophobic rhetoric” after the former governor joined a radio show in which the host said Mamdani would be “cheering” if New York City faced another 9/11-style attack.
“While my opponents in this race have brought hatred to the forefront, this is just a glimpse of what so many have to endure every day across the city,” Mamdani said. “And while it would be easy for us to say that this is not who we are as a city, we know the truth. This is who we have allowed ourselves to become.”
Cuomo and Mamdani also took several jabs at each other on Wednesday night during the final debate of the
NYC mayoral race
. Mamdani focused on Cuomo’s past scandals, such as the sexual harassment allegations that led to his abrupt exit from office. Cuomo, on the other hand, blasted self-proclaimed socialist Mamdani over his lack of experience and past anti-law enforcement statements.
New Yorkers began casting their ballots Saturday and have until Nov. 4 at 9 p.m. to decide which of the three candidates — Cuomo, Mamdani or Republican Curtis Sliwa — will be the next to lead America’s most populous city.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.