NYC mayoral election: Trump threatens funding cuts if Mamdani wins
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has expressed support for Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, urging voters not to elect front-runner Zohran Mamdani. "Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday evening, adding, "He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!"
Political dynamics
Trump's warning on federal funding if Mamdani wins
Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, interpreted Trump's words differently. "He's not endorsing me. He's opposing Mamdani," he said. Trump also warned he would only provide minimum federal funding if Mamdani wins, calling him a "communist" in a CBS interview on Sunday. "If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins...it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required," Trump also wrote on Truth Social.
Candidate response
Mamdani responds to Trump's funding threat
Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, is currently leading in opinion polls ahead of Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Responding to Trump's funding threat, Mamdani said he would "address that threat for what it is: it is a threat. It is not the law." He also criticized Trump's endorsement of Cuomo as being more beneficial for the president than for New York City. "Not the best mayor for New York City...but the best mayor for Donald Trump and his administration."
Criticism voiced
Mamdani dismisses communist label, identifies as a democratic socialist
Mamdani has consistently dismissed accusations of being a communist, describing himself as a democratic socialist. In a television interview, he joked that he was "kind of like a Scandinavian politician," only browner, the BBC reported. If elected, he would be NYC's first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century.
Experience emphasized
Cuomo positions himself as experienced candidate to work with Trump
Cuomo has positioned himself as the more experienced candidate who can work with the Trump administration. He was the New York governor during the COVID-19 pandemic and has fought against federal policies he disagrees with. During a debate, he said, "I fought Donald Trump...When I'm fighting for New York, I am not going to stop." According to recent polls, Mamdani leads both opponents by at least 10 points.