New York City, NY, USA: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has received an unexpected endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared his support for Cuomo in the upcoming New York City mayoral election scheduled for November 4. Trump also issued a warning that federal funding for the city could be reduced if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani secures victory.
Trump’s endorsement, announced on November 3, marks a rare instance of him supporting a longtime Democrat over his own party’s nominee, Republican Curtis Sliwa. Sliwa continues to lag behind in polls across New York City, a city historically dominated by Democratic voters.
Cuomo, a veteran political figure and former three-term governor of New York, is contesting the mayoral election as an independent after being defeated by Mamdani in the Democratic primary earlier this year.
The high-stakes New York City mayoral race has gained national attention for its potential to redefine the Democratic Party’s direction amid growing ideological divisions. Mamdani, 34, a progressive state assembly member who identifies as a democratic socialist, has galvanised younger and left-leaning voters while worrying moderates who fear his policies could alienate centrist support.
Throughout the campaign, Republican leaders have fiercely criticised Mamdani, with Trump labelling him a “communist.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
“Whether you like Andrew Cuomo or not, there’s really no other choice. He’s capable of doing a great job — Mamdani is not!”
Trump added that voting for Sliwa would inadvertently help Mamdani’s chances.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral election, it’s highly unlikely I’ll be sending much federal aid — only the bare minimum required — to my beloved first home,” Trump stated, referring to his native city.
According to the New York State Comptroller’s report, the U.S. federal government contributes approximately $7.4 billion to New York City’s 2026 fiscal budget, accounting for about 6.4% of total expenditures.
During his presidency, Trump has repeatedly threatened to restrict federal funding over issues such as climate policies, diversity initiatives, pro-Palestinian protests, and gender-related policies.
Mamdani, originally from Uganda, gained national prominence after his decisive primary win on June 24. His campaign emphasizes economic equality and opposition to political establishment figures like Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 following a state investigation that found he had sexually harassed multiple women. A later U.S. Justice Department report cited a “sexually hostile work environment” involving at least 13 female staffers.
Responding to Trump’s backing of Cuomo, Mamdani said at a recent rally:
“The MAGA movement’s support for Andrew Cuomo shows exactly what kind of mayor Donald Trump wants — one who serves the same donors, holds the same narrow vision, and operates with the same sense of impunity.”
Mamdani’s platform includes raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents, increasing corporate tax rates, freezing rent on stabilized apartments, and expanding access to publicly funded housing.
While his growing popularity signals a shift in Democratic politics, it also presents challenges for the national party, particularly regarding his critical stance on Israel’s policies and his socialist-leaning agenda, which has unsettled Wall Street and business leaders in New York.
