New York, USA — November 3, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
President Donald Trump has publicly escalated his involvement in the 2025 2025 New York City mayoral election by endorsing former Governor Andrew Cuomo and warning that he may withhold vital federal funding from New York City if progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor.
In a post on his social-media platform Truth Social, Trump described Mamdani as a “Communist” who would put the city at risk and asserted:
“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’s statement signals a dramatic effort to influence what is ordinarily a municipal election by leveraging the power of the presidency and federal finances. Analysts say the move underlines how local races are increasingly entwined with national political confrontation.
Cuomo Accepts Show of Support—but With Caution
Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, welcomed the implicit endorsement but refrained from embracing Trump fully. At a campaign appearance, he warned that a Mamdani victory would trigger federal intervention, including possible deployment of the National Guard.
“We need to be able to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for New York,” Cuomo stated.
Cuomo’s remarks reflect the tightrope he walks: accepting Trump's support to build momentum, but also trying to preserve distance from an endorsement many voters find controversial.
Mamdani Fires Back and Labels the Move Undemocratic
Mamdani, age 34 and a progressive New York State Assembly member, responded sharply to the pressure campaign. He rejected the notion that federal funds could be used as leverage in a local election, stating such threats “are not the law.”
“Too often we treat everything that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth as if it is already legal… this is a threat.” he declared at a Brooklyn rally.
He used the moment to cement his “outsider” image, positioning himself as the candidate resisting establishment powers rather than complying with them.
Implications and Legal Questions
Legal experts point out that while the President does not unilaterally determine federal grants to cities (Congress holds appropriations power), past attempts to withhold funds have triggered litigation. A federal judge has previously ruled similar moves unlawful.
Still, Trump’s public warning carries political weight: New York City receives tens of billions of dollars annually in federal funding for infrastructure, counter-terrorism, healthcare and housing. The suggestion of cuts could influence voter perceptions as much as actual policy.
High-Stakes Election in a Polarised City
The mayoral race pits Mamdani’s progressive platform—including fare-free buses, public housing expansion and social welfare investment—against Cuomo’s centrist legacy and aims. Trump’s intervention highlights how national-level figures see this election as more than municipal: a proxy for larger ideological battles.
With just days to go before Election Day, New Yorkers are now contending with messaging from the White House, threats of fiscal repercussions, and a fiercely contested choice. The outcome will likely reverberate beyond the boroughs, shaping how federal-city relations evolve and how local elections are influenced by national political theatre.