U.S.SPECIAL REPORT

Mamdani accuses Blakeman of 'bigotry and racism' in debate he didn't…

Mamdani said he skipped the Hochul-Blakeman governor debate on Tuesday, yet still went after the Republican nominee; critics are calling it a review without the show.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Photo: Dmitryshein · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 3:00 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Fox News's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Dmitryshein · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Zohran Mamdani — Photo: Dmitryshein · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Fox News: “Mamdani accuses Blakeman of 'bigotry and racism' in breakout debate that mayor didn't watch”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Blakeman, Mamdani.
BBN covered this story before: Hochul 'deer in the headlights' in debate, expert says (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Fox NewsMamdani accuses Blakeman of 'bigotry and racism' in breakout debate that mayor didn't watch

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's three Eastern, noon Pacific.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThis is a BBN special report, and the story is a governor's debate that the mayor of New York City says he never watched.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFox News reports that Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted he did not see Tuesday's debate between Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican Bruce Blakeman.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe still accused Blakeman of bigotry and racism, and that exchange is now the center of the fight over the race for governor.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorVoters get to hear a sharp charge and see a clear contrast, and that is what a debate is supposed to give them.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorFrom a man who skipped it. He reviewed the show without the show.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorMaybe he caught the highlights.

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