‘You can’t beat Trump…’: Curtis Silwa mocks Zohran Mamdani & Andrew Cuomo at NYC mayoral debate

In their final debate before the November 4 New York City mayoral election, candidates Andrew Cuomo (Independent), Zohran Mamdani (Democrat), and Curtis Sliwa (Republican) exchanged sharp attacks over how each would handle President Trump and pressing city issues. Sliwa warned that attempts to challenge Trump would hurt New Yorkers, stressing a “tough love” approach. Cuomo countered by referencing his past confrontations with Trump, arguing only his experience could stand up to the President. Mamdani insisted he'd work with Trump on common priorities like NYC’s cost-of-living crisis while maintaining a progressive housing and wages agenda. The debate also featured heated exchanges about experience, integrity, and leadership, with housing, crime, and transport emerging as major dividing lines as early voting opens Saturday.