Cuomo Called Out for Nursing Home Deaths—Adams Doesn’t Hold Back [WATCH]

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the state’s nursing home policy, as both men continue their campaigns for the 2025 mayoral race.

Adams joined families of deceased nursing home residents and other political figures in condemning Cuomo’s pandemic-era decisions.

The event took place a day after a rally held by relatives of nursing home victims, who have publicly blamed Cuomo for a controversial March 2020 directive that required nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients.

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Estimates suggest the decision contributed to approximately 15,000 premature deaths in New York facilities.

“He incorrectly handled the nursing home issues,” Adams said.

He responded to Cuomo’s claims of competence with a sarcastic remark: “Some people say, ‘He’s a great manager. Well, he darn sure managed that crisis well.’”

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Sunday’s rally included several Democratic and Republican mayoral hopefuls, including Adrienne Adams, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Curtis Sliwa, and Jim Walden.

Each voiced concerns over Cuomo’s leadership during the pandemic and criticized his efforts to return to public office.

Mayor Adams said he has been in communication with some of the families affected by nursing home deaths and extended his criticism beyond the nursing home directive.

He pointed to broader concerns about racial disparities in the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Adams, these disparities were evident in the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccines.

During the pandemic, several city lawmakers, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, raised alarms over unequal access to testing and vaccine sites in predominantly minority communities.

The mayor cited those concerns as further evidence of mismanagement under Cuomo’s administration.

Despite the criticism, Cuomo continues to campaign on what he portrays as a strong pandemic response.

His spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, responded to Adams’ remarks by referencing a June 2024 statement where the mayor said he didn’t want to take “cheap shots” at people.

In a statement Monday, Azzopardi said, “New Yorkers are smart: they know the Mayor is a desperate man who is an Agent of Trump, and desperate men will do or say anything.”

Adams also leveled criticism at other contenders in the 2025 mayoral race.

Last week, he made remarks to Jewish leaders suggesting that an antisemitic candidate is among the current field of challengers.

When pressed by reporters on Monday to clarify whom he was referring to, the mayor declined to name anyone directly but suggested the candidate in question had ties to the Democratic Socialists of America.

Two candidates who fit that description are City Comptroller Brad Lander and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani has gained recent momentum in the race and is backed by progressive groups, including the DSA.

In his own remarks on Monday, Lander shifted attention back to Cuomo.

He criticized the former governor for accepting campaign donations from individuals tied to President Donald Trump.

“New York City deserves a Mayor who will stand up to Trump, not bend the knee like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams,” Lander said in a statement.

The 2025 New York City mayoral race has drawn a crowded and politically diverse field, and criticism among candidates continues to intensify as campaign season progresses.

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