US President Donald Trump has said he would limit federal funding to New York City if Democrat Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday’s mayoral election. Trump’s comments added fresh tension to an already heated race in America’s largest city.
“It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York, because if you have a Communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump said.
This is not the first time the president has threatened to withhold federal aid from Democrat-led states. According to opinion polls, Mamdani currently leads his main rival, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
New York received $7.4 billion in federal funds this fiscal year, but Trump did not specify how or when he would carry out the funding cut if Mamdani is elected.
Trump Endorses Cuomo for Mayor
In a move that stirred political debate, Trump publicly endorsed Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s main challenger. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said, “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 added that Cuomo is “capable” while Mamdani “is not.”
Trump also praised Cuomo’s “record of success.” However, the endorsement could prove a double-edged sword — helping Cuomo with some Republican voters but potentially hurting him among Democrats in heavily blue New York City.
Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary, quickly used Trump’s comments to his advantage. He accused Cuomo of aligning himself with the president and promised to “challenge powerful interests” in both New York and Washington.
Mamdani Responds to Trump’s ‘Communist’ Remark
Trump’s accusation that Mamdani is a “Communist” drew a sharp response from the Democratic frontrunner. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, rejected Trump’s claims and said his campaign represents a vision of inclusion and dignity.
“The answer to a Donald Trump presidency is not to create its mirror image here in City Hall,” Mamdani said on Monday.
He added, “It is to create an alternative that can speak to what New Yorkers are so desperate to see in their own city and what they find in themselves and their neighbours every day — a city that believes in the dignity of everyone who calls this place home.”
Final Push Before Election Day
As the campaign entered its final stretch, all three leading candidates raced across the city in a last bid to win over voters. Cuomo met residents in Manhattan and the Bronx, emphasizing his opposition to socialism. Mamdani walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise, joined by supporters carrying banners and chanting his name.
Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa took his message to Coney Island, appealing to conservative voters.
The election campaign closed after an eventful week that saw early voting end, Trump’s surprise endorsement of Cuomo, and Cuomo’s release of AI-generated attack ads targeting Mamdani.