New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani took on Donald Trump on Thursday as the president reportedly looks to “clear the field” and better former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s chances to win November’s election.
Mamdani, in response to Cuomo’s call for a series of borough-focused debates between the two, instead turned his attention to the president.
“Let’s cut out the middleman. Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?” the democratic socialist told CBS New York.
“If Donald Trump is serious about this, he should come to New York City. We can have as many debates as you want about why he is cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers just to fund tax cuts for his billionaire donors.”
The challenge from Mamdani — who continues to lead in the polls over Cuomo, GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa and scandal-plagued New York Mayor Eric Adams (D), who is running as an independent — comes a day after The New York Times reported that Trump advisers discussed getting a job for Adams in the administration if he drops out.