Key Highlights
- US President Donald Trump endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race.
- Mamdani led polls with 45.8 percent, 14.7 points ahead of Cuomo’s 31.1 percent.
- Trump’s endorsement came hours before polling stations opened in the closely-watched election.
New York City Mayoral Race Heats Up with Trump Endorsement
The race for New York City mayor has taken a surprising turn as US President Donald Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York State, urging his supporters to vote for the independent candidate. This endorsement comes at a critical moment in the closely-watched election, which is set to determine who will lead one of America’s largest cities.
Background and Polling
The New York City mayoral race has seen record early voting with 735,317 ballots cast over nine days. This number far exceeds the total from the 2021 election, reflecting the high level of interest in this year’s contest.
According to RealClearPolitics polls on Monday, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York state assemblyman and Democratic candidate, held a significant lead with 45.8 percent support, nearly 15 points ahead of Andrew Cuomo at 31.1 percent. The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, trailed further behind at 17.3 percent.
Trump’s Threats and Endorsement
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that if Mamdani wins the mayoral race, “it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required.” This threat of reduced federal funding follows Trump’s long-standing criticism of New York City and its perceived fiscal mismanagement.
Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo came with a stark warning: “It is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win.” The former president went on to say, “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!”
Political Dynamics and Campaign Strategies
Mamdani campaigned with an optimistic, multilingual message promising free buses, rent freezes, and universal childcare, partially funded by taxing the city’s wealthiest residents. His supporters rallied behind his candidacy, chanting “Our time is now!” in City Hall.
Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 after sexual harassment allegations, attempted to distance himself from Trump’s endorsement. In an interview with WABC Radio, he agreed that a vote for Sliwa was effectively a vote for Mamdani, stating, “The president is right.
A vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani.” However, Cuomo also defended his record and criticized Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform.
The campaign landscape remains fluid as New York’s most prominent billionaires support Cuomo, while Sliwa focuses on issues like the cost of living, public safety, and animal welfare. As voting day approaches, all candidates are intensifying their efforts to secure the votes necessary for victory in this highly anticipated mayoral race.
