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Mamdani confronts Cuomo over sexual harassment claims during debate

Zohran Mamdani confronted Andrew Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations during a mayoral debate

Pop Culture & Art October 23, 2025 1 min read

-AP

A tense moment unfolded at Wednesday’s New York City mayoral debate when candidate Zohran Mamdani directly addressed former governor Andrew Cuomo about past sexual harassment allegations, revealing that one of Cuomo’s accusers was present in the audience.

“Mr. Cuomo, in 2021, thirteen different women who worked in your administration credibly accused you of sexual harassment,” Mamdani said.

“Since then, you have spent more than $20 million in taxpayer funds to defend yourself, all while describing these allegations as entirely political. You have even gone so far as to legally go after these women. One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is here in the audience this evening.”

The audience reacted with audible gasps and applause as Mamdani continued: “You sought to access her private gynecological records. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her. I, however, can speak. What do you say to the thirteen women that you sexually harassed?”

Cuomo responded by insisting that the allegations had been fully investigated by multiple district attorneys and ultimately dismissed.

“There were allegations of sexual harassment. They went to five district attorneys, fully litigated for four years, and the cases were dropped,” he said, before pivoting to discuss US policy toward Uganda.

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A post shared by Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@zohrankmamdani)

Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to Cuomo, had accused him in 2020 of making inappropriate comments and asking personal questions about her relationships.

Other women have also alleged unwanted physical contact and advances during his time as governor.