Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Republican opponent Curtis Sliwa performed a skit on cat adoption at the Inner Circle, an annual press corps roast, sparking backlash from GOP figures. The skit, featuring 'Dr. Cliwa' parodying Sliwa's medical expertise, drew laughter but also accusations of collusion. Republicans, including former Gov.

David Paterson, criticized the performance, suggesting it hinted at a nonaggression pact that aided Mamdani's 2025 election. Sliwa defended the act as satire, emphasizing his animal welfare advocacy, while Mamdani's team called it a lighthearted tradition.