Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo lambasted Zohran Mamdani over his victim claims, saying that the Democratic candidate hurt several communities, including Jews.

“I’d go half-and-half,” Cuomo said, trying to appeal to both sides. Laughter erupted inside the room as Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa, the republican nominee in the debate, both threw their hands up.

Bloomberg / The race has been followed nationwide in large part due to the 34-year-old candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist. "Mr. Cuomo, in 2021, 13 different women who worked in your administration credibly accused you of sexual harassment,

A spokesman for Cuomo now tells PEOPLE that the former New York governor doesn't actually believe Mamdani would celebrate a terrorist attack, as the joke suggested

Cuomo was criticizing Mamdani's executive experience and ability to handle disasters on a conservative radio show before an exchange referencing the 9/11 attacks.

The tribe has spoken… and they’re voting Andrew Cuomo off the island. Several recent “Survivor” contestants — including Teeny Chirichillo (Season 47), Yam Yam Arocho (Season 44) and Katurah Topps (Season 45) — have returned to tribal council to advocate for Zohran Mamdani in a new campaign advertisement paid for by the New York City