Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's official X account posted an AI-generated campaign ad on Wednesday evening targeting his opponent in the New York City mayoral race, Zohran Mamdani. The ad, titled "Criminals for Zohran Mamdani," features various criminal characters endorsing Mamdani due to his proposed decriminalization policies. Among the characters are a domestic abuser, a shoplifter, a drug dealer, and a sex trafficker, all expressing support for Mamdani's policies. The ad concludes with a protester burning an American flag and proclaiming, "Long live the intifada," suggesting that Mamdani's victory would lead to significant changes in New York City.

The two-minute video was released shortly after the start of the city’s mayoral debate but was removed within five minutes. It was quickly captured and shared by a user on X, leading to widespread reactions. The user, Prem Thakker, described the video as featuring a diverse group of criminals, including a Black man in a keffiyeh. This prompted criticism regarding the focus on race in the portrayal of the characters.

Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stated that the video was a draft that had not been finalized or approved. He explained that it was inadvertently posted by a junior staff member, which is why it was taken down so quickly. The identity of the staff member and their motivations remain unclear.

In response to the ad, Mamdani condemned it as "disgusting," stating, "This is Andrew Cuomo’s final moments in public life, and he’s choosing to spend them making racist attacks on the person who would be the first Muslim to lead this city." Critics have labeled the video as racist, although the criminals depicted are racially diverse, with four out of seven characters appearing to be white.

Mamdani's platform includes policies such as decriminalizing non-violent misdemeanors, restorative justice, and harm reduction for addiction. These proposals have drawn comparisons to similar policies in Canada, which have faced criticism for their impact on public safety. For instance, in British Columbia, the decriminalization of drug possession and the establishment of supervised injection sites have been linked to rising overdose deaths and increased public disorder.

Cuomo's ad highlights these concerns by showing a drug dealer and a shoplifter endorsing Mamdani's ideas as "common sense." Critics argue that such policies have led to a decline in safety in Canadian communities, with rising rates of shoplifting and public drug use.

Mamdani has also supported the elimination of cash bail and the reduction of maximum sentences, which some argue could lead to similar issues in New York City. The ad portrays a scenario where a domestic violence victim receives help from a social worker instead of a police officer, reflecting Mamdani's advocacy for defunding the NYPD.

The debate over these policies continues, with some experts arguing that empathy-driven approaches to crime can lead to unintended consequences. Paul Bloom, in his book, suggests that empathy can result in biased decisions, advocating instead for a rational approach to policy that weighs costs and benefits impartially.

As the mayoral race progresses, the implications of Mamdani's policies and the reactions to Cuomo's controversial ad will likely remain focal points in the campaign.