'SNL' roasts Trump, Cuomo, Adams and Sliwa in NYC mayoral debate spoof
the third, final, and fictional NYC mayoral debate pic.twitter.com/GFZ2cTM9Cc
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 2, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: 'Saturday Night Live' opened this weekend with a biting take on the 2025 New York City mayoral race, lampooning nearly every major figure in the contest. From Andrew Cuomo to Curtis Sliwa and even Donald Trump, no one was spared.
In the sketch, framed as a fictional debate, Miles Teller hosted the show and took on the role of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was ripped for his alleged Covid-era controversies and scandals.
“I got us through Covid and then yada, yada, yada. Honk honk, squeeze squeeze,” Cuomo quipped in a line that drew groans from the fake debate audience.
'SNL' makes fun of Zohran Mamdani’s lofty promises
Comedian Ramy Youssef played frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, joking about the mispronunciations of his name and his progressive platform.
“I know some of you are out there scared of the idea of a young socialist Muslim mayor,” he smiled painfully, “So allow me to put you at ease by smiling after every answer in a way that physically hurts my face.”
'SNL' also poked fun at Mamdani's lofty promises.
“I want to be mayor so I can deliver a better New York, free healthcare, affordable housing, free Wi-Fi. As mayor, can I make that happen? I’m not sure yet,” Youssef as Mamdani said. “But together, we’re gonna find out that the answer is no.”
Curtis Sliwa and Eric Adams also take hits
Shane Gillis appeared as Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, fixated on recounting his past mob attacks.
“I’m thrilled to be here and not getting shot in the back of a yellow cab five times,” he deadpanned.
Meanwhile, Kam Patterson caricatured outgoing mayor Eric Adams as a swaggering hype man backing Cuomo, though his endorsement went hilariously sideways when he declared support for “Zorgon Mammograma.”
'SNL' mocks Trump over cognitive test speech
As the sketch reached its climax, James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump made a surprise entrance, interrupting the debate to tout his supposed cognitive brilliance.
“He’s too young to lead, folks,” Trump said of Mamdani. “I took a cognitive test. I did so well they immediately gave me an MRI. They said, we’ve never seen anything like it.”
By the end, Kenan Thompson, playing WNYC moderator Errol Louis, tried to restore order, warning Mamdani that “this is not the forum for your TikTok-ery.”
The New York City mayoral race has emerged as one of the most unpredictable contests.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempted comeback has fueled controversy, while Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has energized young voters with a reportedly left-wing agenda centered on housing, healthcare, and climate justice.
Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the 'Guardian Angels', is again running as a candidate, while outgoing Mayor Eric Adams remains a polarizing presence.
