Trump Endorses Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race, Warns of Funding Cuts if Mamdani Wins:

In a stunning twist on the eve of New York City’s mayoral election, former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to back former Governor Andrew Cuomo, warning that the city could face federal funding cuts if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins. Trump’s endorsement, posted Monday night on his Truth Social platform, sent shockwaves through the political landscape just hours before polls opened. “It is my strong conviction that New York City will be a complete and total disaster if Mamdani wins,” Trump wrote. He called Mamdani a “Communist with no experience and a record of total failure” and insisted that a vote for the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, would actually help Mamdani. “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice,” Trump said. “You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job. He’s capable of it. Mamdani is not.” Trump went further, warning that if Mamdani becomes mayor, it would be “highly unlikely” that he would authorize more than the bare minimum of federal funds for the city. His comments added a dramatic national dimension to what has already been one of New York’s most closely watched elections in years. Mamdani Leads, Cuomo Gains Momentum According to the latest RealClearPolitics poll, Mamdani holds a 45.8% lead, followed by Cuomo at 31.1% and Sliwa at 17.3%. Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, is now running as an independent, trying to rally moderate Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans. During a WABC Radio interview, Cuomo didn’t directly address Trump’s remarks but appeared to agree with part of his message. “The president is right. A vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani. This election is now up to the Republicans,” he said. Mamdani, on the other hand, used Trump’s endorsement as ammunition, warning supporters that the former president’s backing of Cuomo showed how deeply entrenched interests were aligning against his progressive campaign. “If Cuomo is elected as mayor, our city will descend deeper into the darkness that has forced too many of our neighbors to flee,” Mamdani told a cheering crowd at City Hall. “We’re fighting for a city that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful.” A Historic Race and Deep Divides At 34, Mamdani — a state assemblyman, community organizer, and self-described democratic socialist — has energized working-class voters with promises of free public buses, rent freezes, and universal childcare, funded by taxing New York’s wealthiest residents. If elected, he would become the first Muslim, first African-born, and first South Asian–descent mayor in New York City’s history. Cuomo, 67, once a dominant figure in state politics, is making a comeback three years after resigning as governor amid sexual harassment allegations. He’s positioned himself as the centrist alternative to Mamdani’s progressive vision. “Socialism didn’t work in Venezuela or Cuba,” Cuomo said during a Bronx rally. “It’s not going to work in New York City.” Major donors have also entered the fray. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has donated roughly $750,000 to pro-Cuomo super PACs, hoping to tip the balance in the final stretch. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa — founder of The Guardian Angels — continues to campaign on public safety and cost-of-living issues but has been overshadowed by Trump’s decision to back Cuomo instead. A City at a Crossroads With more than 735,000 early votes already cast — over four times the number from 2021 — this year’s election has captured record public interest. For many New Yorkers, it represents a choice between bold, progressive change and steady, experienced leadership. Trump’s surprise endorsement of Cuomo has turned the race into a symbolic clash between national ideologies — progressivism versus centrism, socialism versus capitalism. Whether it will sway voters in a deeply Democratic city remains uncertain, but it has ensured one thing: this mayoral race is no longer just about New York. As voters head to the polls, the outcome will not only determine who leads America’s largest city but also signal what kind of future New Yorkers — and the country — want to build.

NEWS