Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, speaks during a mayoral debate with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, center, and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York City. (Angelina Katsanis, Pool/AP Photo)
Mamdani was also pressed by Cuomo on his refusal to condemn the phrases "from the river to the sea" and "globalize the intifada," both of which are widely seen as calls for the extermination of Jews. Sliwa pressed on this issue as well, telling Mamdani, "Jews don't trust that you will be there for them when they are victims of antisemitic attacks."
Mamdani answered that he will be a mayor for all New Yorkers, saying, "Jewish New Yorkers who have told me about their fear in living in this city, and I will be a mayor who finally addresses that, not through the theatrics of the politics on the stage, but through action."
President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to major American cities also loomed large over Thursday night’s New York City mayoral debate.
Candidates were asked about the "threat hanging over the city" of National Guard troops being sent to New York City. All three candidates indicated they would oppose troops being sent to the city.
Mamdani asserted that "What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver on that safety."
"When Donald Trump sent ICE agents on people in Los Angeles, Andrew Cuomo said that New Yorkers need not overreact. That is the furthest answer that New Yorkers are looking for. They are looking for someone who will lead, someone who will say that they will have their back, someone who will actually fight for the people of this city," said Mamdani.
Cuomo, meanwhile, said that "the answer in the subways is not more National Guard" but rather "more NYPD is the answer."
NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI STILL HOLDS COMMANDING DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD OVER RIVALS IN NYC MAYORAL RACE
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a mayoral debate, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool) (Angelina Katsanis, Pool/AP Photo)
Cuomo dismissed the nursing homes dig as a political investigation that "went nowhere."
Cuomo also knocked Mamdani for previous calls to defund the police and statements denouncing law enforcement.
"Respect the police. They’re not racists as the assemblyman calls them, they’re not a threat to public safety as he says, they’re not anti-queer, they are here to protect New Yorkers, work with them, fortify them," said Cuomo.
Sliwa jumped in at this moment to deliver a jab to Cuomo, saying, "That’s ironic that you say that now … your parole board released 43 cop killers back into the street. Your father, when he was governor, released none. I knew Mario Cuomo; you’re no Mario Cuomo."
In response to Cuomo’s attack, Mamdani said, "As much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020, which is around the same time that he was sending seniors to their death in nursing homes, I am looking to work with police officers, not to defund the NYPD."
Mamdani again touted his plan to have "dedicated teams of mental health outreach workers" deployed to the top 100 subway stations with the highest levels of mental health crises and homelessness.
FINAL STRETCH: MAMDANI'S LARGE LEAD SHRINKING AS CUOMO GAINS GROUND IN NYC MAYORAL RACE
From left, Mayoral candidates Independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani participate in a mayoral debate, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York. (Angelina Katsanis, Pool/ AP Photo)
In a debate filled with candidates interjecting and talking over each other constantly, the room suddenly went silent when a moderator asked, "Show of hands. Who supports [New York Gov.] Kathy Hochul for re-election?"
Not a single candidate raised their hand.
Cuomo, who picked Hochul as his lieutenant governor, said, "We have to know who’s running."
Mamdani said, "It’s a decision that should be made after this general election."
He noted, however, that he believes Hochul is "doing a good job, and not only delivering for New Yorkers but also standing up to Donald Trump."
"Then endorse her!" Cuomo interjected. "Why don’t you endorse her?"
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Mamdani noted, "I appreciate her support, and I appreciate her work," but said, "I’m focusing on November."
Sliwa signaled his support for the gubernatorial campaign of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., saying, "a Republican Mayor Curtis, a Republican Governor Stefanik … save this city."
Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-5-moments-from-fiery-nyc-mayoral-debate-never-had-job