U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday made a surprise endorsement of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for mayor of New York City, warning he would withhold federal funding if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday’s election.
Trump, a Republican, broke party lines by backing Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, over both Mamdani and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa, who trails far behind in polls in the heavily Democratic city.
“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. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He added that a vote for Sliwa would “only help Mamdani,” whom he labeled a “Communist Candidate.”
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,” Trump warned, referencing New York City’s $7.4 billion in federal funding for fiscal year 2026, about 6.4% of its total spending, according to the New York State Comptroller.
Trump’s threat continues a pattern from his second term, during which he has targeted federal funding over state and local stances on climate initiatives, transgender rights, pro-Palestinian protests, and diversity and inclusion policies.
The New York City mayoral race has drawn national attention as a bellwether for the Democratic Party’s direction.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old Uganda-born state assembly member and self-described democratic socialist, has galvanized younger progressives with promises to tax the wealthy, raise corporate taxes, freeze stabilized rents, and expand public housing.
However, his criticism of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and his anti-establishment tone have unsettled moderate Democrats and business leaders.
“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 said at a campaign event following Trump’s endorsement. “They share the same donors, the same small vision, the same sense of impunity.”
Cuomo, a three-term governor who resigned in 2021 after a damning sexual harassment report, has positioned himself as an experienced centrist alternative to Mamdani’s left-wing agenda. Despite past scandals, his candidacy has gained momentum among moderate voters alarmed by Mamdani’s rise.
Tuesday’s outcome is expected to test both Trump’s influence in his native city and the Democratic Party’s ability to balance progressive enthusiasm with centrist stability as it looks toward the 2026 midterms.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
