US President Donald Trump has dramatically intervened in the New York City mayoral race, crossing party lines to endorse former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. He also issued a direct threat to withhold federal funding from the city if progressive Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday’s election.
Trump, who has frequently commented on the race, bypassed Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to support Cuomo, a longtime Democrat now running as an independent after losing the party’s primary to Mamdani.
The election is being closely watched nationally as a test case for the future identity of the Democratic Party as it grapples with its progressive and moderate wings. Mamdani, 34, a self-described democratic socialist, leads Cuomo in the polls and has energized younger voters. However, his platform has alarmed moderate Democrats.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins… it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He argued that a vote for Sliwa would only help Mamdani, leaving voters with “no choice” but to support Cuomo.
According to reports, the US federal government provides $7.4 billion to New York City annually, accounting for about 6.4% of the city’s total spending.
Mamdani responded to the endorsement by linking Trump and Cuomo. “The MAGA movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo is reflective of Donald Trump’s understanding that this would be the best mayor for him,” Mamdani stated. “They share the same donors, they share the same small vision, they share the same sense of impunity.”
