'Disqualifying': Cuomo’s last-ditch attacks on Mamdani condemned as racist and Islamophobic

As New York City election day nears, Andrew Cuomo’s increasingly personal attacks on mayoral candidate opponent Zohran Mamdani have sparked widespread backlash online, with critics accusing the former governor of using Islamophobic and racist rhetoric. 

Cuomo’s campaign released two videos targeting Mamdani’s identity as a South Asian Muslim man. One, still live on Cuomo’s social media accounts, features just four men declaring themselves “Muslims Against Mamdani”. 

The video suggests that Mamdani is “not Muslim enough”, accusing him of promoting policies, such as the decriminalisation of prostitution and drugs, that they say contradict Islamic values. One of the men goes so far as to accuse Mamdani of being a “self-proclaimed” Hindu.

The other video, reportedly posted briefly to Cuomo’s X account before being deleted, was an AI-generated ad depicting “criminals” expressing support for Mamdani, including one shown stealing from a store while wearing a keffiyeh, and looters who were calling to "globalise the Intifada". 

In addition to the videos, Cuomo drew criticism on Thursday morning for a remark on WABC’s Sid and Friends in the Morning, where he joked that Mamdani would “be cheering” if 9/11 were to happen under his tenure as mayor, a comment many have condemned as deeply insensitive.

Mamdani responded to the comment on his X account, where he said Cuomo’s joke was “just disgusting”.

Just disgusting. https://t.co/cs2RNkkEFy

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 23, 2025

'Disqualifying'

Online, many have noted the irony of Cuomo’s attacks, accusing him of portraying Mamdani as both "too Muslim" and "not Muslim enough".

“Schrodinger’s muslim: Zohran will both institute sharia law and begin jihad, and he is also not a real Muslim because he is too woke!” one social media user posted on X.

Journalist Seamus Malekafzali said that the video inadvertently advertises Cuomo as a more “Muslim” candidate. 

“Bizarre video here with the argument appearing to be that Zohran Mamdani isn't Muslim enough and the underlying message being that Andrew Cuomo will abide closer to the Shari'ah on things like prostitution,” he wrote on X. 

Cuomo's closing message against Mamdani is that he's not Muslim enough? https://t.co/BlbxiosvIM

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) October 22, 2025

One social media user compared Cuomo’s attack on Mamdani to those that criticise anti-Zionist Jews. 

“Saying a progressive member of their religion ‘isn't actually’ a member of the religion...so proud to see Jews and Muslims uniting on this,” the person posted on X. 

Many have also accused Cuomo of exploiting sectarian divisions by attempting to pit Shia and Sunni Muslims in NYC against one another.

NYC historian Asad Dandia said that Cuomo crossed a “red line”.

“Cuomo's cynical attempt to pit 'Sunni Muslims' against Zohran (who is Shia) is utterly despicable," Dandia said on X. "I have never seen any NYC elected official promote a sectarian divide within the Muslim community like this. Andrew Cuomo has crossed a very sensitive red line. May it be his last.”

“Whatever you think of decriminalizing prostitution, it's beyond absurd that Cuomo is getting into sectarianism between Sunnis & Shias,” one social media user posted on X. "Cuomo seems to suddenly know a lot about Islam for a guy who never entered a mosque until after he lost an election to a Muslim American candidate.”

Zohran Mamdani: While I’m lowering rent for working class New Yorkers, but the only thing you’re lowering is your pants to 11 different women 😏

Andrew Cuomo: pic.twitter.com/BvJafKDjEA https://t.co/y6g1e4KJNH

— ساسكي الصومالي 🇸🇴🏴‍☠️ (@SomaliSasuke) October 22, 2025

The backlash to Cuomo’s AI-generated ad has been so intense that some have gone as far as demanding he be disqualified from the race.

Former NYC mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the video, saying it was "disqualifying" and that "no candidate who approves a racist, disgusting ad like this can be allowed to govern".

Others highlighted specific details in the video that appeared to be generated by AI prompts, including an image of Mamdani eating with his hands and another depicting a Black man dressed in what appears to be a stereotypical “pimp” outfit.

The shocking AI-generated anti-Mamdani ad the Cuomo campaign apparently deleted features a man stealing wearing a keffiyeh and a Palestinian flag.

How are Palestinian New Yorkers supposed to feel about this or do they not matter? https://t.co/LJooItAL43 pic.twitter.com/Lbl4D7tBng

— Laila Al-Arian (@LailaAlarian) October 23, 2025

"I want to point out one part in particular: this AI recreation of Mamdani eating with his hands," journalist Matt Binder posted on X. "The only people i’ve seen refer to this are the most insane anti-immigrant racists on this site. This is who Cuomo is trying to appeal to."

"This is so gross and full of racist stereotypes, including a Black man dressed like a pimp trafficking a car full of white women," activist Shannon Watts posted on X. "Cuomo needs to be thrown in the ash heap of history."

One social media user argued that the advertisement is a realistic portrayal of how Cuomo views the city: "I think this ad actually does a really good job of capturing the general misanthropy Cuomo has towards New York City. He hates this place and everybody in it."