U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for mayor of New York City, breaking party lines in a move that has shaken the final days of the race. Trump, a Republican, declared his support for Cuomo over Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa, who is trailing in polls. The endorsement came with a warning — Trump threatened to cut federal funding to the city if Mamdani, a progressive Democrat, wins Tuesday’s election.
Trump’s endorsement, shared on his Truth Social platform, urged voters to back Cuomo, calling Mamdani a “Communist Candidate.” He warned that if Mamdani becomes mayor, New York City could lose most of its federal support, except for the legal minimum. The federal government currently contributes about $7.4 billion to New York City’s $115 billion budget, according to the New York State Comptroller.
Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist and Uganda-born state assembly member, has been leading Cuomo in recent polls. His progressive platform—raising taxes on the wealthy, increasing corporate tax rates, freezing rent for stabilized apartments, and expanding affordable housing—has galvanized younger voters but worried moderates and the city’s business elite. Republicans, including Trump, have used his left-wing policies and criticism of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories to portray him as extreme.
Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, previously served three terms as governor before resigning in 2021 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations. Despite his controversies, Trump called Cuomo the only candidate “capable” of leading New York effectively. Mamdani responded that Trump’s support for Cuomo reveals their shared “donors, vision, and sense of impunity.”
The outcome of this closely watched election could redefine the Democratic Party’s identity — balancing between progressive ideals and centrist stability — while testing Trump’s lingering influence on New York politics.