President Donald Trump on Sunday reportedly escalated his public criticism of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist favorite in New York City’s mayoral race, threatening to cut federal funding if the candidate “doesn’t behave” once elected.
Speaking on Fox News, Mr. Trump denounced Mamdani as a “pure communist” and warned that the federal government would “come down very tough on them financially” if the city fails to align with federal expectations under his administration.
Trump’s remarks mark a bold provocation in municipal politics, invoking the federal purse as leverage against a local election outcome.
“Whoever becomes mayor of New York is going to have to do the right thing, or they’re not getting any money,” he declared, signaling that a mayoral term led by Mamdani could complicate the city’s access to more than $100 billion in annual federal flows.
Mamdani, 33, a first-term state assembly member who surprised many by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, swiftly pushed back.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, he firmly rejected the communist label, saying, “I am not.”
He emphasized his campaign is rooted in economic fairness—calling for higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, free public transit, childcare support and rent stabilization. “I don’t think we should have billionaires,” he said, grounding his criticism of wealth inequality in the city’s struggling neighborhoods.
Democratic leaders have held a measured tone toward Mamdani. While representatives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have applauded his progressive vision, others—including Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—have chosen not to endorse him, citing concerns his platform’s leftward tilt could jeopardize broader appeal in the general election.
Trump’s intervention injects a highly unusual federal voice into local politics, raising questions about potential consequences for New York City—which has criticized Trump’s sanctuary policies and for whom federal backing remains crucial.
Federal relations have already been complicated by past funding threats tied to immigration enforcement and congestion pricing initiatives.
Mamdani portrayed Trump’s threats as an attempt to distract from his policy agenda but also as confirmation of his growing influence. “He uses scare tactics,” Mamdani said, “because he doesn’t want people talking about working families.”
The general election lineup already includes Democrat-turned-independent Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and possibly Cuomo if he joins as an independent. While New York remains a deeply liberal stronghold, federal budget threats could shape debates over infrastructure, policing, housing, and social services.
For Mamdani, the looming clash with Trump underscores the stakes of his candidacy: a test of whether bold progressive politics can withstand pressure from national Republican power.
Should he prevail, the conflict may spotlight Washington’s willingness to use federal funding as a check on local leadership—and amplify the question of municipal autonomy in the Trump era.
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