Cuomo Dismisses Nursing Home Scandal, Blames Trump's 'MAGA Line' for COVID Controversy
NYC Democratic mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo dodges questions on alleged COVID-19 report involvement
Nine Democratic candidates faced off in a tense debate in New York City Wednesday night, marking the first of two mayoral showdowns before the crucial June 24 primary. From the outset, the focus was fixed squarely on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose past handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing federal investigations dominated the discussion.
The moderators wasted no time, pressing Cuomo on how he would stand up to potential opposition from former President Donald Trump if elected mayor. Within minutes, questions turned sharply toward the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into Cuomo’s alleged misstatements to Congress about the state’s COVID-19 response—particularly regarding the tally of nursing home deaths during the height of the pandemic.
Cuomo forcefully dismissed any wrongdoing, labeling the probe as “another example of the pandemic's game of political football” and directly attributing it to tactics employed by Trump-era officials. “This is what Mr. Trump does, right? He started an investigation against me, against Kathy Hochul, against Sen. Chuck Schumer, against Hillary Clinton. This is one of his tactics,” Cuomo told the packed auditorium, seeking to distance himself from the allegations swirling around him.
The debate stage was crowded, with fellow contenders including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, city Comptroller Brad Lander, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, former Assemblyman Michael Blake, Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, and former hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson. Yet, throughout the evening, it was clear who the frontrunner was. With his long-standing political record and widespread name recognition, Cuomo continues to lead polls and fundraising efforts for the Democratic nomination.
The stakes are high. The winner of the Democratic primary is widely expected to coast to victory in November’s general election in the overwhelmingly blue city. Early voting is set to begin on June 14, giving voters just over a week to make up their minds amid a heated and contentious campaign.
Notably absent from the Democratic field is incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent this cycle after federal corruption charges against him were dropped earlier this year. Adams’ recent cooperation with the Trump administration on immigration issues has made waves in the city’s political circles, but it was Cuomo’s relationship with the former president that took center stage Wednesday night.
“I know how to deal with Donald Trump because I've dealt with him before,” Cuomo asserted, seeking to position himself as the experienced candidate most capable of navigating national political headwinds. He highlighted his previous battles with Trump on key policy fronts, declaring, “I am the last person on this stage that Mr. Trump wants to see as mayor, and that's why I should be the first choice for the people of this city to have as mayor.”
The issue of transparency over New York’s COVID-19 response resurfaced repeatedly. Moderators and rivals pressed Cuomo on whether he misled Congress about the number of pandemic-related deaths in state nursing homes—a central point in the federal investigation. “No, I told Congress the truth. No, we did not undercount any deaths,” Cuomo insisted, but declined to clarify his involvement in the creation of a disputed COVID-19 report.
Republican lawmakers, too, have kept the pressure on Cuomo, recommending criminal charges and accusing him of intentionally misleading federal investigators. Although Cuomo has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, the controversy surrounding his pandemic record remains a defining factor of his campaign and a flashpoint for his opponents heading into the final weeks of the primary race.
