US President Donald Trump has endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in his independent bid for New York City mayor, while launching a scathing attack on Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Calling Mamdani a “communist” and a “complete and total failure,” Trump warned that New York would face an “economic and social disaster” if the 34-year-old Indian-origin politician wins Tuesday’s election. Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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 minimum required. With a Communist at the helm, this once-great city has zero chance of success or even survival.”
Trump urged New Yorkers to back Cuomo instead, describing him as a “Democrat with a record of success.” “I would much rather see a Democrat who has proven results win than a Communist with no experience and a record of total failure,” Trump said.
He also took a swipe at Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, saying that a vote for Sliwa would effectively help Mamdani. “A vote for Curtis Sliwa (who looks better without the red beret!) is a vote for Mamdani,” Trump wrote. The endorsement marks a dramatic twist in the final hours before the November 4 mayoral election. Trump, who has long had a tense relationship with Cuomo, appeared to soften his stance, saying he believed Cuomo “is capable of bringing the city back to its former glory.”
Trump made similar remarks in a 60 Minutes interview with CBS News, saying, “If it’s between a bad Democrat and a Communist, I’ll pick the bad Democrat every time.” Mamdani, an Assemblyman and democratic socialist, has maintained a narrow lead in recent opinion polls over Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. Republican candidate Sliwa trails behind.
Adding to the surprise endorsements, billionaire Elon Musk also backed Cuomo, posting on X: “Remember to vote tomorrow in New York! A vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mamdani. VOTE CUOMO.”
Despite Trump’s endorsement, political observers say his influence in New York remains limited, as he lost heavily across the city in all three of his presidential runs. Both Cuomo and Mamdani have previously criticized Trump’s policies, with Cuomo once vowing to reject any endorsement from him.
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