United States President Donald Trump has made a dramatic intervention in the 2025 New York City mayoral race, urging his supporters to back former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and not the official Republican nominee, in a bid to block Democrat Zohran Mamdani. Trump warned that a Mamdani victory could lead to federal funding restrictions for the city.
The endorsement was delivered through Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, just hours before polls opened for the closely watched election. Trump, known for his unconventional political maneuvers, called Cuomo “a Democrat who has had a record of success,” contrasting him sharply with Mamdani, whom he labeled a “communist with no experience”.
Key Election Developments: Trump, Cuomo, and Mamdani Clash
In the final stretch of the campaign, polls showed Mamdani leading with 45.8% of voter support, ahead of Cuomo’s 31.1% and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa’s 17.3%, according to RealClearPolitics.
Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo—a fellow New Yorker and former Democratic governor—surprised many but underscored the political stakes. Trump declared that New York City would become a “complete and total economic and social disaster” if Mamdani prevailed, suggesting that only Cuomo could avert what he saw as a looming crisis.
Trump’s Threat: Federal Funds at Risk
In a statement that reverberated across party lines, Trump said he would likely withhold federal funds if Mamdani, a progressive Democrat and New York State Assemblyman, were elected mayor.
“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice,” Trump wrote. “You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!”
The president’s warning to New York City voters spotlighted a potential federal response to local election results, raising concerns over possible executive interference in municipal governance.
Zohran Mamdani: A Rising Progressive Star
At just 34 years old, Zohran Mamdani has energized a diverse coalition of voters with a platform promoting free public transportation, rent freezes, universal childcare, and higher taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers. If elected, Mamdani would be the first Muslim, the first African-born, and the first person of South Asian descent to lead New York City.
Mamdani dismissed Trump’s comments, arguing that they underscored Cuomo’s alignment with elite interests. “Our city will descend deeper into the darkness that has forced too many of our neighbors to flee,” Mamdani said to supporters at Brooklyn’s City Hall. “This city has for too long served only the wealthy and powerful.”
Andrew Cuomo Seeks Political Revival
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations, has cast himself as a candidate of experience and moderation. His campaign has courted Republican and centrist voters, pledging to stop what he calls the “dangerous rise of socialism” in New York City.
“Socialism didn’t work in Venezuela. It didn’t work in Cuba. It won’t work in New York City,” Cuomo told supporters in the Bronx, seeking to position himself as a bulwark against Mamdani’s progressive agenda.
Cuomo has backed Trump’s assertion that a vote for Sliwa could help Mamdani win. “This election is now up to the Republicans,” Cuomo said in a late interview, expressing gratitude for Trump’s politically strategic endorsement.
Curtis Sliwa: The Outsider Still Fighting
Curtis Sliwa, best known for founding The Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol, remains in the race but has faced dwindling support since Trump’s remarks. Sliwa has run a campaign focused on public safety, homelessness, and rising living costs, but has refused to align fully with Trump, especially on immigration policy.
“I’m running because this city deserves safety, accountability, and leadership that won’t look the other way,” Sliwa said on social media, reaffirming his commitment to continue his campaign despite long odds.
Record Turnout and Global Attention
New York’s mayoral race has drawn unprecedented global interest, with a record 735,317 early votes cast—more than four times as many as in the previous mayoral election. Political analysts credit the high turnout to Mamdani’s surge in popularity, the return of Cuomo to politics, and Trump’s high-profile intervention.
With election day underway, all eyes are on New York City as voters decide whether to embrace a bold, progressive vision in Mamdani, a comeback bid by Cuomo, or the seasoned activism of Sliwa.
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