Washington, DC – President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming New York City mayoral race, reigniting his criticisms against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump expressed support for Cuomo, who recently announced his independent candidacy after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. “I think he should stay. I think he has a shot,” Trump stated, emphasizing his belief in Cuomo’s potential to win in the general election this November.
Despite Trump’s confidence, Cuomo faces significant challenges in an overwhelmingly Democratic city like New York. Notably, he will be competing for anti-Mamdani votes with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Cuomo’s announcement of his independent run was met with criticism on social media, with many respondents highlighting the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation in 2021, which he has denied.
When asked if he preferred Cuomo to win, Trump refrained from making a full endorsement, saying, “I’m a Republican; he’s a democrat or an independent.” However, he did assert that Cuomo could have a viable campaign, labeling Mamdani as a “communist” and suggesting that Cuomo must run a tough campaign to succeed.
This characterization of Mamdani is part of a broader narrative among some Republicans, who have labeled Democrats as communists or communist sympathizers. Analysts have noted that Mamdani’s platform does not align with the classic tenets of communism, such as governmental control over industry and private property.
In a recent social media post, Trump voiced concerns over a potential Mamdani victory, threatening to leverage the “tremendous power” of his office to intervene if Mamdani were elected. “As President of the United States, I’m not going to let this Communist Lunatic destroy New York,” Trump said, claiming he held necessary influence to “save” the city.
The remarks from Trump have led to intensified scrutiny of Mamdani, particularly following negative comments from several of Trump’s close allies, who have used Islamophobic language in their attacks. These tensions have only heightened due to Mamdani’s progressive stance on various issues, including his support for Palestinian rights.
In a separate statement last month, the White House suggested that allegations against Mamdani regarding supposed support for terrorism should be investigated, raising concerns over the legitimacy of such claims.
Trump’s allies, including notable financial figure Bill Ackman, supported Cuomo during the Democratic primaries, complicating the dynamics in the race for New York City’s leadership.
The contest has captured national attention, with significant discourse surrounding the narratives being pushed against Mamdani based on his background and beliefs.
On the day of Trump’s remarks, Mamdani’s campaign took a playful jab at Cuomo’s newfound support, sarcastically congratulating him on winning Trump’s backing. “Obviously, this triumph speaks for itself. The question now is whether Cuomo will embrace Trump’s support publicly or continue to just accept it in private,” the campaign remarked.
As the mayoral race heats up, the interactions among Trump, Mamdani, and Cuomo promise to further engage voters and amplify discussions regarding political ideologies in America’s largest city.
image source from：aljazeera
