New York — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing accusations of Islamophobia after laughing along with a radio host’s suggestion that Zohran Mamdani — the Muslim frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race — would “cheer” a terror attack like 9/11 if it happened again.
In an appearance on “Sid & Friends in the Morning,” Cuomo, now running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, mused, “God forbid, another 9/11. Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” Host Sid Rosenberg replied, “He’d be cheering.” Cuomo paused, laughed, and said, “That’s another problem.”
The exchange caps a string of late-campaign attacks by Cuomo that center on Mamdani’s faith and background. In recent days the former governor has argued Mamdani is betraying Islam by backing sex-work decriminalization and has questioned his reliability on public safety and terrorism — arguments aimed at moderate, conservative, and some Jewish voters wary of Mamdani’s criticism of Israel.
Mamdani called the remarks “Islamophobic,” “racist,” and “disgusting.” “Andrew Cuomo’s message is to smear and slander the first Muslim candidate on the verge of leading this city… and say that by virtue of your faith you are worthy of suspicion,” he told reporters.
Some Democrats who have criticized Mamdani on policy also condemned Cuomo’s rhetoric. Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote that it is “beyond disgusting and disgraceful” to insinuate a candidate “would celebrate a second 9/11,” urging a return to civility.
The campaign has also featured religiously charged jabs: during a debate, Cuomo referenced Sunni doctrine in labeling certain policies “haram” (forbidden) while addressing Mamdani, who is Shia. Standing alongside Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo nodded as Adams warned against “Islamic extremism” shaping city policy, while adding, “not Muslims.” Cuomo’s campaign briefly posted — then deleted — an AI-generated video depicting a caricature of Mamdani as it attacked his “radical” ideas.
Mamdani’s campaign has accused Cuomo and allied groups of deploying stereotyping in ads and mailers, including using imagery of Mamdani in traditional South Asian clothing and darkened-beard photos. Cuomo, criticized earlier this year for never visiting a mosque while governor, has recently stepped up outreach to South Asian and Muslim communities and launched a “Hindus for Cuomo” effort while courting Sikh congregations.
Cuomo’s aides believe public-safety pledges and education proposals can peel off older, more conservative immigrant voters. Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda raised by Indian parents in Manhattan, says his post-9/11 childhood shaped his outlook and that New Yorkers “are very familiar with garden-variety Islamophobia; they see it and reject it.”
New Yorkers head to the polls on November 4.
