In a dramatic escalation of his involvement in New York City's mayoral race, President Donald Trump has threatened to restrict federal funding to the city unless voters reject Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in favor of independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Trump’s latest statements intensify his previous tepid endorsement of Cuomo, signaling a strategic alignment against Mamdani in Tuesday’s election.

Trump articulated his stance in a social media post, stating it is “highly unlikely” New York City will receive more than the bare minimum federal funding if Mamdani is elected. He expressed a stark preference for Cuomo, urging voters to elect him to avoid what he implied would be detrimental leadership under 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 wrote.

This forceful backing comes on the heels of a “60 Minutes” interview where Trump described the election as a choice “between a bad Democrat and a Communist,” stating he would choose “the bad Democrat all the time.” His comments have since shifted to a more direct endorsement of Cuomo, whom he praised for his “record of success.”

Interestingly, Cuomo has attempted to distance himself from Trump’s support, emphasizing to reporters during his campaign that Trump’s statements should not be seen as an endorsement. Meanwhile, Mamdani’s campaign has leveraged Trump’s “60 Minutes” comments, portraying them as a full endorsement of Cuomo in a tongue-in-cheek manner on social media.

Furthermore, Trump also discouraged voting for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, claiming that supporting him would indirectly benefit Mamdani. This maneuver is seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate conservative and moderate votes behind Cuomo, whom Trump perceives as the more favorable candidate over Sliwa in this unique political scenario.

The potential withholding of federal funds from New York City raises significant concerns, given that over $100 billion flows through the city annually in various forms of federal aid. The implications of such a financial cut could be vast, affecting numerous public services and economic activities citywide.

As the election approaches, the unfolding dynamics between Trump, Cuomo, and Mamdani continue to captivate the city’s electorate, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in New York City politics.