Cuomo and de Blasio trade jabs through media: ‘Serial sexual assaulter says what?’

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) traded barbs through the media on Thursday as the longtime political rivals face off over issues including the reopening of businesses in the state.

The feud was reignited at a vaccination event in Buffalo, N.Y., where reporters asked the governor about de Blasio’s announcement that New York City was hoping to loosen most if not all of its COVID-19 restrictions by July 1.

“First, the mayor of New York, I don’t know what he’s indicative of. And I say that as a former New York City boy,” Cuomo said, according to Business Insider. “Ask the people in New York City what they think of the mayor of New York City, and I would second their opinion.”

De Blasio’s spokesman, Bill Neidhardt, fired back in a statement to the New York Post by referencing how Cuomo is facing multiple allegations of unwanted sexual contact

“Serial sexual assaulter says what?” Neidhart said in response to Cuomo’s comments about de Blasio.

When asked about Cuomo’s attacks on the Mayor today, City Hall press secretary Bill Neidhardt responds: “Serial sexual assaulter says what?”

— City Nolan (wears a , so should you) (@ndhapple) April 29, 2021

Cuomo’s spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, later sent reporters a link to a tweet depicting Val Kilmer’s character from “Top Gun” making a taunting face at Tom Cruise’s character.

pic.twitter.com/8i8Ca9Is8C

— Rich Azzopardi (@RichAzzopardi) April 29, 2021

The back-and-forth comes amid an ongoing battle between de Blasio and Cuomo over who has final say regarding COVID-19 restrictions in New York City. De Blasio has also been one of the most vocal New York politicians calling for the Democratic governor’s ouster in light of the allegations against him.

In March, the mayor charged that Cuomo’s ongoing scandals were affecting New York’s ability to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“He should resign right now because he’s holding up our effort to fight COVID. He’s literally in the way of us saving lives right now,” de Blasio said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”