New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani challenged President Donald Trump to a televised debate, accusing the former leader of attempting to influence the election. The Democratic front-runner’s remarks followed calls from independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, who had previously urged Mamdani to debate him five times across the city’s boroughs.
Mamdani criticized Cuomo for seeking to avoid direct confrontation, stating, “Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?” The challenger alleged that Trump had sought to meddle in the race, referencing past phone conversations between the two men about the mayoral contest.
Meanwhile, sources indicated White House officials were considering job offers for Mayor Eric Adams and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa to persuade them to withdraw from the race. This move could bolster Cuomo’s prospects against Mamdani, who defeated him in the June Democratic primary.
Mamdani accused his opponents of seeking favor with Trump and wealthy donors, vowing to focus on issues like SNAP benefits. He also addressed debate plans, citing scheduled discussions with WPIX and CBS, though independent candidate Jim Walden disputed claims that Mamdani had committed to multiple debates.
Cuomo reiterated his belief that Adams and Sliwa should exit the race, arguing he had the best chance to defeat Mamdani in November. However, Adams’ campaign dismissed Cuomo’s efforts, citing his primary loss and focus on delivering for New Yorkers. Sliwa, meanwhile, rejected any notion of dropping out, emphasizing his commitment to the Republican nomination.
