Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Andrew Cuomo Warns Stephen A. Smith That Zohran Mamdani Win ‘Would Be The Death Of The Democratic Party’

Screenshot/YouTube/Stephen A. Smith

Former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith on “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.” that if his opponent, avowed socialist Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani wins in November, his party will perish.

Mamdani garnered the backing of 43.8% of likely voters — about 10% ahead of Cuomo, according to a Suffolk University poll released on Monday, showing a tightening race compared to its September poll, in which Mamdani led by 20%. Cuomo told Smith on an episode of his show set to air Wednesday evening that the Republican Party would effectively exploit Mamdani’s socialism to destroy the Democratic Party.

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“It would be the death of the Democratic Party,” Cuomo told Smith. “The Republicans are licking their lips, hoping this kid Mamdani wins because they can pick him up and carry him around the country and say, ‘Here’s the Democratic Party,’ 34-year-old, never had a job, wants to decriminalize prostitution, doesn’t like the police, defund the police, abolish jails, literally a socialist! Anti-business, anti-corporate, government should control the means of production.”

“That’s … their first motto. That’s Marxism,” the former governor continued. “So, this socialist wing wins, the Democratic Party dies, in my opinion.”

Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa also remains in the race for New York City mayor, but trails Mamdani and Cuomo significantly.

Mamdani is running on a platform of hiking taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, rent freezes, free buses and city-owned grocery stores. He has also asserted during his campaign that billionaires should not exist.

Moreover, Mamdani previously advocated defunding the New York City Police Department, describing the department as “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.” However, he has since walked back those comments.

Cuomo resigned his governorship in 2021 following a sexual harassment scandal. He also came under fire for policies mandating nursing homes accept COVID-19 patients.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally endorsed Mamdani on Friday after months of dodging questions regarding his stance on the socialist. Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also endorsed Mamdani in September. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remains the highest-ranking New York Democrat who has yet to endorse Mamdani.