US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In the final stretch of the New York City mayoral race, sharply attacking Democratic Socialist front-runner Zohran Mamdani and warning voters of a “total economic and social disaster” if he wins.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump labelled Mamdani a “communist” and threatened to restrict federal funding to New York City if he becomes mayor. “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will contribute any Federal Funds beyond the minimum required,” Trump wrote. “With a Communist at the helm, this once-great city has zero chance of success or survival.”
The remarks come on the eve of the city’s high-stakes mayoral election on November 4. Despite years of friction with Andrew Cuomo, Trump endorsed the former governor—who is running as an independent—calling him a “Democrat with a record of success.”
“I would much rather see a Democrat who has delivered results win than a Communist with no experience and a record of total failure,” Trump said, adding that Mamdani “has no chance” of restoring New York’s past glory.
The president also took a jab at Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, suggesting that a vote for Sliwa would ultimately benefit Mamdani. “A vote for Curtis Sliwa (who looks better without the red beret!) is a vote for Mamdani,” Trump quipped. “Whether you like Cuomo or not, you have no choice but to vote for him.”
Trump’s comments mirror remarks he made on CBS’s 60 Minutes over the weekend, where he reiterated that he’d prefer “a bad Democrat” over “a communist.”
Political analysts say Trump’s influence in New York remains limited, as he has consistently lost heavily in his hometown. However, his endorsement—joined by that of billionaire Elon Musk—has injected new energy into Cuomo’s campaign.
Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Remember to vote tomorrow in New York! A vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mamdani. VOTE CUOMO.”
Recent polls show Mamdani maintaining a narrow lead over Cuomo, with Sliwa trailing far behind. Both Mamdani and Cuomo have publicly opposed Trump’s policies, with Cuomo previously saying he would reject any endorsement from the former president.
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