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U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned he would sharply limit federal funding to New York City if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday’s mayoral election, calling Mamdani a “Communist” and saying the city would have “zero chance of success” under his leadership.
“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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. “It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm.”
Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman representing Queens’ 36th District, identifies as a democratic socialist and has advocated for housing reform, expanded public transit and social welfare programs. He rejects the “Communist” label used by conservative critics.
The warning comes as New York voters prepare to choose a new mayor in a three-way race between Mamdani, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo—running as an independent—and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Early voting has concluded, and more than 5 million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots Tuesday.
Trump appeared to back Cuomo, cautioning his supporters that voting for Sliwa would benefit Mamdani.
“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him,” he wrote. “A vote for Curtis Sliwa … is a vote for Mamdani.”
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump urged voters in Virginia and New Jersey to support Republican candidates in statewide elections taking place Tuesday, claiming Democrats would cause “substantially higher energy prices.”
He also criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul and vowed to ask Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to consider terminating New York City’s congestion pricing program.
Polls project Mamdani ahead by seven points, with 41% support in a recent AtlasIntel survey. Cuomo follows with 34%, and Sliwa has 24%. Current Mayor Eric Adams opted not to seek reelection following scandals and endorsed Cuomo.
If elected, Mamdani would become New York’s first Muslim mayor. His campaign has leaned heavily on grassroots mobilization and appeals to working-class voters, with rallies and nightclub appearances, including over Halloween weekend.
Far-right critics have attacked Mamdani for addressing supporters in Arabic, while Cuomo has campaigned across all five boroughs and Sliwa has emphasized a “tough on crime” platform.
The mayoral race has centered on the cost of living, crime and how candidates would handle strained relations with Trump, who has openly threatened financial retaliation against the city.
Mamdani responded Monday during a canvassing stop in Queens, saying: “What was rumored, what was feared has become naked and unabashed—the ‘MAGA’ movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo.”
Political analysts say a Mamdani victory would likely lead to confrontation with the White House. “Trump will treat New York City more aggressively,” Syracuse University professor Grant Reeher said. “There will be some kind of political showdown.”
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Off-year gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey are also viewed as indicators of the US political climate nearly 10 months into Trump’s presidency, with voters choosing governors in both states Tuesday.
Former President Barack Obama campaigned over the weekend for Democratic candidates in both states and reportedly spoke with Mamdani but did not endorse him.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. local time. Early voting saw more than 735,000 ballots cast—the highest on record for a New York City municipal election.
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