Trump Endorses Cuomo Over "Communist" Mamdani in Critical New York City Mayoral Election

US President Donald Trump has endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor in his independent campaign, while strongly opposing Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. Trump, who considers New York his first home, warned that electing the 34-year-old Indian-origin candidate would result in "a complete and total economic and social disaster" in Tuesday's mayoral election.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump threatened to minimize federal funding to New York City if voters elect Mamdani, whom he described as a communist, though Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist.

"If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home," Trump stated. He added that under Mamdani's leadership, "this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival."

Trump continued his critique, stating: "It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don't want to send, as President, good money after bad. It is my obligation to run the Nation, and it is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win. His principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful."

This statement comes as New York City approaches its mayoral election on November 4, with the race entering its final stage.

Despite past tensions with former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Trump urged New Yorkers to support him instead of Mamdani.

"I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE. He was nothing as an Assemblyman, ranked at the bottom of the class and, as Mayor of potentially, again, the Greatest City in the World, HE HAS NO CHANCE to bring it back to its former Glory," Trump declared.

The Republican president also criticized GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, suggesting that voting for Sliwa effectively supports Mamdani. Trump even commented on Sliwa's signature red beret, stating he would look better without it.

"We must also remember this - A vote for Curtis Sliwa (who looks much better without the beret!) is a vote for Mamdani. 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 is capable of it, Mamdani is not," Trump added.

Trump previously made similar remarks during a "60 Minutes" interview with CBS News, offering limited support for Cuomo while labeling Mamdani a communist.

"I'm not a fan of Cuomo one way or another, but if it's going to be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I'm going to pick the bad Democrat all the time, to be honest with you," he stated in the interview.

The impact of Trump's endorsement on New York voters remains questionable, as he lost his hometown by significant margins in all three of his presidential campaigns.

While Trump did gain some ground in the New York City metropolitan area during his 2024 run compared to previous elections, his approval ratings have declined considerably since taking office in January.

Both Mamdani and Cuomo have publicly opposed Trump's policies throughout their campaigns. Cuomo had previously stated he would reject any endorsement from Trump.

Recent opinion polls show Mamdani leading Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after losing in the Democratic primary. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa remains in third position.

Billionaire Elon Musk, Trump's former advisor, also endorsed Cuomo, writing on X: "Remember to vote tomorrow in New York! Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is. VOTE CUOMO."