Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, pledged Friday to further embrace his Muslim identity in response to growing attacks by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his surrogates that he characterized as “racist and baseless.”

“I thought that if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist, baseless attacks, all while returning back to my central message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith,” Mamdani said. “I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough.”

The tone of those attacks have amped up in recent days, drawing allegations from some Democrats that Cuomo’s campaign is leaning into Islamophobia in the final stretch of the campaign.

Appearing on a conservative radio station Thursday, Andrew Cuomo appeared to laugh along at the host’s suggestion that Mamdani would “be cheering” another 9/11 attack.

Hours later, at an event endorsing the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams invoked the possibility of terrorist attacks in New York City, seeming to suggest — without explanation — they would be more likely under a Mamdani administration.

“New York can’t be Europe. I don’t know what is wrong with people,” Adams said, standing alongside Cuomo. “You see what’s playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”

At a news conference Friday, Cuomo accused Mamdani of “playing the victim” for political purposes and denied that Islamophobia existed in New York.

“What he is doing is the oldest, dirtiest political trick in the book: divide people," Cuomo said.

Asked about the radio host’s comments, Cuomo said he “didn’t take the remarks seriously at the time.”

“Of course I think it’s an offensive comment. But it did not come out of my mouth,” he added.

Mamdani, who won the primary in stunning fashion, has faced skepticism from some in the Democratic establishment, particularly over his criticism of Israel, which he has accused of committing genocide in Gaza.

On Friday, Mamdani earned the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

AP video by Ted Shaffrey & Jake Offenhartz.