Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is challenging President Donald Trump to a televised debate after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted on several debates with Mamdani.
Mamdani is the Democratic nominee for mayor in New York City and is running against Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. He’s accused Cuomo of associating with Trump.
“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 has often capitalized on a New York Times report that detailed how Cuomo and Trump had a phone call. Both have denied the call took place, but Cuomo is reportedly Trump’s preferred candidate in the race. His administration has been trying to oust Sliwa and Adams from the contest.
Mamdani called on Trump to come to New York City to debate.
“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,” he said.
Cuomo has bashed Mamdani for refusing to participate in debates after the Democratic primary. He wants to debate him in every borough. “New Yorkers deserve answers. I challenge him to five debates, one in every borough where we speak about the issues in that borough,” he said.
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Mamdani said earlier this week that he won’t participate in any debates besides the two scheduled by the city’s Campaign Finance Board for October. “In the meantime, I won’t be at this televised circus,” Mamdani said.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House and the Mamdani campaign, but received no response.