A significant political battle is brewing in the New York City mayoral race, with former President Donald Trump directly challenging Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. Trump publicly declared that federal funding for New York City would be significantly reduced if Mamdani wins the upcoming election on November 4.
In a strong statement on Truth Social, Trump characterized Mamdani as a “Communist” and warned of dire consequences for the city. “It is my obligation to run the Nation, and it is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win,” Trump stated. He further elaborated that “this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!” under such leadership and vowed to avoid sending “good money after bad.”
Trump’s intervention also included an unexpected endorsement of former Governor Andrew Cuomo over Mamdani, despite their past disagreements. He urged New Yorkers to vote for Cuomo, whom he described as a “Democrat, who has had a Record of Success,” contrasting him with Mamdani, who Trump claimed has “no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE.”
Zohran Mamdani, a member of the New York State Assembly, is a 34-year-old progressive candidate born in Uganda and raised in New York. He has been leading in recent polls, further escalating the tension around the election.
Mamdani reacted to Trump’s comments and endorsement of Cuomo with a pointed social media post, sarcastically congratulating Cuomo and sharing a graphic highlighting Trump’s endorsement. The election is now a focal point of national political discourse, with federal funding hanging in the balance.