On November 4, 2025, New Yorkers voted in a closely watched mayoral contest featuring Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. With polls showing a narrowing race, Mamdani drew high‑profile criticism from conservatives, including President Donald Trump and commentators such as Ben Shapiro, who urged Sliwa supporters to back Cuomo. A last‑minute super PAC ad and a debate over Mamdani’s comments about post‑9/11 Islamophobia intensified the final‑day crossfire.
- The state of the race
Multiple late polls showed a tightening contest. An AtlasIntel survey released November 3 put Mamdani at 43.9%, Cuomo at 39.4%, and Sliwa at 15.5%; in a hypothetical head‑to‑head, AtlasIntel found Cuomo leading Mamdani 49.7% to 44.1%. Those figures were widely cited by media outlets and talk radio on the eve of the vote. Other polling earlier in the cycle generally showed Mamdani ahead. (AtlasIntel toplines reported November 3; covered by the New York Post and WABC.)
- Trump weighs in against Mamdani
On November 3, President Donald Trump used Truth Social to denounce Mamdani as a “Communist,” warn he would minimize federal support for New York City if Mamdani won, and urge voters not to back Sliwa. “A vote for Curtis Sliwa … is a vote for Mamdani. Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him,” Trump wrote. National and local outlets reported the post and its timing on the eve of Election Day. (Just the News; NBC New York; ABC/CNN affiliates.)
- Eleventh‑hour ad links Mamdani to 9/11 controversy
A super PAC supporting Cuomo, For Our City, aired a late ad that showed Mamdani over video of the Twin Towers collapsing on 9/11 while quoting streamer Hasan Piker’s past line “America deserved 9/11.” Mamdani appeared on Piker’s stream earlier this year but, during an October debate, called those remarks “objectionable and reprehensible.” Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $3.5 million to For Our City on October 29, according to campaign‑finance records cited in coverage of the ad. (NBC New York confirmed the ad and the Bloomberg donation.)
- 9/11 rhetoric and response
Mamdani recently gave an emotional speech about post‑9/11 Islamophobia, saying, “I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11 because she did not feel safe in her hijab.” Conservative figures mocked the remarks; Vice President J.D. Vance posted a sarcastic response. Days later, Cuomo, on WABC’s Sid & Friends, asked listeners to imagine Mamdani in office during “another 9/11,” prompting the host to say Mamdani would be “cheering.” Cuomo laughed and replied, “That’s another problem.” Mamdani called those comments “disgusting” and racist. National outlets carried the exchange and Mamdani’s response. (CNN transcripts; Mediaite; NDTV/Firstpost carried the quote from Mamdani’s speech.)
- Opinion pressure on Sliwa voters
Conservative pundits urged strategic voting. Ben Shapiro argued on Election Day that backing Sliwa would effectively help elect Mamdani, pointing to the AtlasIntel numbers and urging a vote for Cuomo instead. (Daily Wire.)
- What New Yorkers say they’d do if Mamdani wins
A Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll reported by the New York Post found 9% of New Yorkers said they would “definitely” leave the city if Mamdani won (roughly 765,000 residents), and another 25% said they’d consider it; among high‑income residents, 7% said they would definitely move. Those findings reflect stated intentions rather than verified migration and are not predictive on their own. (New York Post summarizing J.L. Partners.)
- Climate law, costs, and Mamdani’s stance
Mamdani has aligned with climate advocates who want to “enforce Local Law 97 without loopholes,” a position highlighted by groups that scored mayoral candidates on climate policy, and reinforced in local reporting on his platform. The law requires most large buildings to cut emissions 40% by 2030 and includes penalties for non‑compliance. Building owners and co‑op leaders have warned of significant compliance costs: examples reported by local outlets include estimates of $20,000–$25,000 per household at some Queens co‑ops, and a projected maintenance increase of about $1,155 per month for a one‑bedroom at Queensview, according to critics of the law. Cost estimates vary widely by building and scope of work, and the city has outlined financing aids and compliance flexibilities. (350 Action scorecard; Inside Climate News; AMNY/Brownstoner/Queens Post for cost examples; NYC Department of Buildings for Local Law 97 framework.)
- Funding claims and disputed ties
Cuomo and some conservative outlets alleged that a pro‑Mamdani independent‑expenditure group, New Yorkers for Lower Costs, received $100,000 from the Unity & Justice Fund, which they describe as linked to the Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR). Transparency listings confirm at least one $25,000 contribution from the Unity & Justice Fund; some reports cite a total of $100,000 via two installments. A CAIR representative told NY1 the fund is not connected to CAIR. By law, such groups must operate independently of campaigns. These claims concern outside spending, not direct contributions to Mamdani’s campaign. (NY1; TransparencyUSA; JNS/Free Beacon reporting.)
- A note on who’s on the ballot
In addition to Mamdani (Democratic), Cuomo (independent) and Sliwa (Republican), some coverage noted other names appearing on the ballot or in the race at various points; for example, Mayor Eric Adams announced an independent run earlier this year and later withdrew, with some outlets reporting his name would still appear because of timing. (AP; Washington Post.)