New York City, NY, USA: Social media lit up immediately after the first general election debate for New York City mayor, with many users declaring Zohran Mamdani as the standout performer among the three leading candidates: Andrew Cuomo (I), Zohran Mamdani (D), and Curtis Sliwa (R).
The debate, broadcast live Thursday evening, focused on key issues including the city’s affordability crisis, Trump’s proposals regarding the National Guard, local education policies, and the Israel-Gaza situation.
“I just finished watching the two-hour debate, and Zohran really stood out,” commented a TikTok user. Recent polling indicates that Mamdani is currently leading with 52 per cent, while Cuomo trails at 28 per cent and Sliwa remains at 14 per cent.
One Instagram user humorously suggested, “Sliwa and Cuomo might as well skip the next debate — they’d only get demolished again.” The final mayoral debate is scheduled for October 22, just days before New Yorkers cast their votes on November 4.
Throughout the debate, the candidates used a highly combative approach, frequently challenging and criticising one another.
Sliwa targeted Cuomo’s record while labelling Mamdani’s proposals as unrealistic. Cuomo emphasised his tenure as New York State Governor and attacked Mamdani for past comments supporting a “global intifada” and labelling police officers as “racist.”
Mamdani, maintaining a calm demeanour, highlighted his focus on affordability and responded to Cuomo directly: “What I may lack in experience, I compensate with integrity — something you cannot substitute for with experience alone.”
Addressing criticisms of his past leadership, Cuomo claimed he would have managed social media more effectively and dismissed allegations of sexual harassment as politically motivated.
Although there is no official declaration of a debate winner, online sentiment appears to be largely unfavourable toward Cuomo. One Twitter user remarked, “I think we can all agree Andrew Cuomo falls short.”
Some viewers expressed surprise at Sliwa’s performance, noting that his experience as a talk show host contributed to strong debate skills. “Sliwa did better than expected, but Mamdani clearly won,” said a TikTok commenter.
The discussion repeatedly returned to pressing concerns for New Yorkers: rising rents, costly groceries, public safety, and the mental health crisis. President Donald Trump also featured prominently, as he has suggested deploying National Guard troops in the city, similar to recent actions in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Mamdani criticised these plans and labelled Cuomo as a “puppet” of Trump.
Trump allies, including Andrew Stein and Jimmy Finkelstein, have hosted fundraisers supporting Cuomo, while super PACs funded by affluent backers have run ads targeting Mamdani, The New York Times reported.
One TikTok user concluded, “If Zohran Mamdani doesn’t win, it’s clear that in America, elections can be bought.”
