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)
"Charlotte Bennett is a NY hero," posted New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, referring to one of Cuomo's accusers. Lander was arrested in June for allegedly assaulting a federal immigration officer, but those charges were ultimately dropped. He was also a candidate for NYC mayor before losing to Mamdani in the primary. Lander also posted a video of a crowd cheering when asked if they thought Mamdani won the debate.
Meanwhile, one of Cuomo's accusers, Karen Hinton, was present at the debate Wednesday night, after which she hit the spin room and explained how Cuomo's response about what he would say to women like her proved Cuomo lacks the "moral compass" to be mayor.
"I am one of these women. I have been legally abused by Andrew Cuomo for years after being harassed as his staffer," another accuser, Lindsey Boylan, said on X. "Now he wants to be mayor."
Cuomo's decision after the debate to skip the spin room with reporters, instead jolting straight to the New York Knicks game where he was pictured sitting next to incumbent New York City mayor Eric Adams, was also a focus on social media following the debate.
But, altogether, reactions to Cuomo's performance were not entirely negative. And reactions to Mamdani's performance were not entirely positive – especially from Republicans.
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"If Andrew Cuomo had brought the energy to this campaign that he’s bringing to this debate, he would not be fighting for his political life right now," Actor and director Tom Brennan added Wednesday night.
"Andrew Cuomo is crushing Zohran Mamdani at the Mayoral debate tonight," wrote pro-Israel activist Uri Cohen on X.
"I will say that both Cuomo and Sliwa are absolutely tearing Mamdani apart at this debate," added New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani (R) Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa (L) and Independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo participate in the second New York City mayoral debate at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, on October 22, 2025. (Photo by HIROKO MASUIKE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Laura Loomer, a close Trump ally and former failed GOP congressional candidate, jumped on the criticism of Mamdani over his alleged antisemitism on Wednesday night after the debate.
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"Zohran Mamdani’s most outrageous lie tonight came when he said he would take antisemitism seriously, saying, ‘I have heard from Jewish New Yorkers about their fears about antisemitism in this city. And what they deserve is a leader who takes it seriously,’" Loomer's podcast "Loomer Unleashed" posted on X and was later shared by Loomer herself on X.
"This quote is laughably false, as Zohran’s own X account shows he supports BDS legislation," the "Loomer Unleashed" quote concluded.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa mainly got praise on social media for his performance without a ton of criticism. He is widely considered to be significantly behind Cuomo and Mamdani in the polls.
"Curtis Sliwa has the courage of a lion. No doubt he'd make a great mayor, and he demonstrated as much in tonight's debate," former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday night.
Minority leader of the New York City Council's Republican delegation, Joann Ariola, said, "hands-down" Sliwa was the winner of the debate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/social-media-erupts-after-cuomo-mamdani-rip-each-other-during-final-debate-unmasked