NYC Democratic primary mayor debate live updates: Candidates call Trump’s Columbia defunding ‘gross,’ ‘unacceptable’

Nine Democratic candidates for NYC mayor, including the two frontrunners — ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo and socialist state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani — faced off Wednesday in the first debate of the 2025 primary election.

A clear “winner” did emerge.

Keep reading for all the key moments from the Dems’ sparring session.

What to know about the first NYC mayoral debate

• Who are the candidates running for NYC mayor against Eric Adams? 
• Ex-gov Cuomo heated as he defends himself (incorrectly) on COVID nursing home deaths: ‘That’s the Trump line, the MAGA line’
• Fireworks erupt at mayoral debate over Cuomo’s ‘Defund the Police’ attacks
• Mamdani still won’t say Israel has a right to exist — sparking quick backlash from Cuomo at NYC mayoral debate