Former Governor Andrew Cuomo demanded that New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani vacate his rent‑stabilized apartment in Astoria, accusing him of unfairly benefiting from affordable housing while earning a six‑figure salary and coming from a privileged background. Cuomo reminded voters that Mamdani, who earns around $142,000 as a state assemblyman and is married to a professional, should surrender the $2,300/month apartment to someone more deserving. He framed the call as a test of moral clarity, arguing that housing meant for the most vulnerable should not be occupied by the well-to-do.
Cuomo’s critique did not stop at rent. He also questioned Mamdani’s broader credibility, branding him out of touch with his constituents and accusing him of hypocrisy for championing policies that help poorer families while living comfortably himself. Critics echoed this sentiment: “It is outrageous that … a man who presents himself as a champion of the poor would occupy an apartment intended for public housing while thousands of New Yorkers sleep in shelters or on the streets,” one spokesperson said.
In response, Mamdani confirmed plans to move out, clarifying he never intended to stay in the apartment indefinitely. His campaign dismissed Cuomo’s attacks as politically motivated distractions aimed at shifting focus from the former governor’s own controversies.
