Cuomo Criticized for Response to Radio Host's Islamophobic Remark About Mamdani

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is under scrutiny following his response during a radio interview where host Sid Rosenberg suggested that Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim mayoral candidate, would "be cheering" if another 9/11-style attack occurred. Cuomo chuckled and replied, "That's another problem."

Mamdani condemned the exchange as "disgusting" and an affront to New York's Muslim community. He stated, "We're speaking about a former governor who, in his final moments in public life, is engaging in rhetoric that is not only Islamophobic, not only racist, it's also disgusting."

Other Democrats, including Representative Ritchie Torres, criticized Cuomo's remarks. Torres commented, "To insinuate that a mayoral candidate would celebrate a second 9/11 is beyond disgusting and disgraceful."

Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, later clarified that the former governor did not believe Mamdani would celebrate a terrorist attack. Azzopardi explained that Cuomo's comment referred to Mamdani's association with Hasan Piker, who previously made controversial remarks about 9/11. However, Mamdani had already condemned Piker's comments as "objectionable and reprehensible."

This incident adds to the tensions in the New York City mayoral race, where Mamdani, who would be the city's first Muslim mayor, has faced Islamophobic attacks. Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, has been accused of employing divisive tactics in the campaign's final days.