Things received bizarre on the NYC mayoral debate final night time when Andrew Cuomo demanded Zohran Mamdani condemn Twitch streamer Hasan Piker.

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In a purposeful society, pre-election debates are used for the candidates to make their platforms clear and expose weaknesses and nuances within the platforms of their opponents. They’re meant to function a approach for viewers to get to know the candidates higher and work out who is aware of what they’re doing and who finest aligns with their views when it comes right down to the small print.

But as we’ve seen throughout current presidential debates, in our sound bite-driven, reactionary world, typically candidates are extra involved with saying ridiculous issues that they assume will get consideration.

Andrew Cuomo requires a denunciation of Hasan Piker

In the case of the Oct. 16, 2025, NYC mayoral debate between impartial candidate Cuomo, Mamdani, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, one of many issues Cuomo determined to hone in on was Mamdani’s affiliation with Piker, a controversial leftist Twitch streamer.

“The Assemblyman will not denounce Hamas. The Assemblyman will not denounce Hasan Piker, who said, ‘America deserved 9/11,’” Cuomo stated, referring to 2019 feedback Piker made. Some have argued through the years that his remarks require extra nuance than being boiled right down to an inflammatory sound chunk. Piker himself known as his remark “inappropriate” shortly after he made it.

During the controversy, Mamdani agreed, saying, “I find the comments that Hasan made on 9/11 to be objectionable and reprehensible.” 

“And I also think that part of the reason why Democrats are in the situation that we are in of being a permanent minority in this country, is we are looking only to speak to journalists and streamers and Americans with whom we agree of every single thing that they say,” he added. “We need to take the case to every person, and I’m happy to do that.”

@hasandpiker Cuomo talked about me through the NYC debate to assault Zohran Mamdani #hasanabi #zohranmamdani #cuomo ♬ unique sound – hasanabi

The web weighs in

To lots of people, Cuomo’s deal with attempting to get Mamdani to “denounce” Piker felt like simply one other distraction with racist undertones. Many of the assaults on Mamdani since his candidacy started getting actual consideration have revolved round the concept any Muslim is unfit to function mayor of NYC due to 9/11.

For Cuomo to attempt to lean into that fearmongering to attain factors is nasty, even when it’s additionally unsurprising. But the truth that he used a Twitch streamer most individuals watching the controversy have in all probability by no means even heard of simply feels nonsensical, which led to a good quantity of mockery on-line.

@anitadigggenme tweeted, “America is not real cause why are you talking about an influencer on a literal mayoral debate”

“The people who aren’t chronically online looking at each other like, ‘who the f**k is hasan piker?’” wrote @kaaalllnnn.

“You know Cuomo’s in trouble when he’s counting on hitting the “fuck Hasan” button to avoid wasting him lol,” added @Kramburglar.

The entire factor even crossed into meme territory at one level.

“ZOHRAN MAMDANI: Make the buses fast and free

ANDREW CUOMO: Hasan Piker did 9/11

CURTIS SLIWA: I could bench press both these guys at the same time without getting sweat on my beret”

“Cuomo: Do you condemn Hasan Piker??

Mamdani: Free buses increase safety and efficiency

Sliwa: It was a cold night in 1998, Frank Sinatra had just faked his own death and the Yankees were headed to the world series…” joked @gldvittorio.

Meanwhile, Laura Loomer used the chance Cuomo handed them to unfold false info to the Republican base—specifically, portray Mamdani as a liar as a result of he “pretended like he has no association with Piker,” which didn’t occur.

Maybe—simply possibly—either side ought to focus rather less on the likes of streamers and podcasts and extra on coverage that may higher the lives of struggling Americans. Just a thought!

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