The shocking vote of confidence came despite Mayor Eric Adams, who has repeatedly cozied up to Trump, also vying for re-election on an independent line in the general race. Adams has attacked Cuomo for staying in the race, claiming that he alone should be the one to take on Mamdani in November.

In a video posted to social media, Cuomo cast the race as a direct contest between himself and Mamdani, omitting mention of Adams, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, or fellow independent Jim Walden. The footage featured Cuomo walking through the city and engaging with residents—imagery that Politico noted echoed Mamdani’s own viral campaign style.