Cuomo Criticizes Mamdani Over Ugandan Ties, Intifada Remarks Ahead NYC Mayoral Race

In the 2025 New York City mayoral race, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, has launched sharp attacks against Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo criticized Mamdani for posing with Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, known for her role in anti-LGBTQ legislation, and questioned Mamdani's dual citizenship with Uganda, a country that criminalizes homosexuality. Cuomo also challenged Mamdani to publicly denounce the phrase "globalize the intifada," which Cuomo characterized as a call for violence against Jews, pressing Mamdani for moral clarity amid ongoing criticism of his stance on Israel and related slogans. Mamdani's campaign responded by attacking Cuomo's past record on LGBTQ issues and dismissing the citizenship challenge as a distraction from Cuomo's lack of substantive policies. As the mayoral race heats up, Cuomo has urged increased security around Jewish institutions in New York ahead of demonstrations marking the anniversary of the Hamas attack, while Mamdani maintains a lead in recent polls. The attacks highlight deep divisions over social and foreign policy issues in a highly contested election.