US President Donald Trump has revealed that he would be reluctant to send federal funding to New York City if left-wing front-runner Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of America's biggest city this week. 'It's gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York, because if you have a Communist running New York, all you're doing is wasting the money you're sending there,' Trump stated in a television interview.
The Trump administration has frequently sought to cut federal grants and funding for projects predominantly located in Democratic-managed areas. Opinion polls indicate that Mamdani is ahead of his primary challenger, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, just before Tuesday's vote.
Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of his funding concerns should Mamdani succeed in the election. New York City received $7.4 billion in federal funding in the current fiscal year.
'If Mamdani wins, it could change how federal funds are allocated to the city,' Trump remarked, further asserting that a Mayor Mamdani would make the previous leftist mayor, Bill de Blasio, seem competent in contrast. In lieu of expressing admiration for Cuomo, Trump mentioned that while he is not a fan of him, he would prefer 'the bad Democrat' over 'the Communist'.
Mamdani, 34, has described himself as a democratic socialist but has rejected the characterization of his politics as communist, suggesting a more moderate Scandinavian alignment. As he campaigns for mayor, Mamdani seeks to create a vision that counters both Trump and Cuomo and proposes a city that champions dignity and inclusivity for all its residents.
With the election fast approaching and tensions rising, the dynamics between the potential candidates reflect the larger political landscape of the country, as well as the varying perspectives on governance and funding in major urban centers.
The Trump administration has frequently sought to cut federal grants and funding for projects predominantly located in Democratic-managed areas. Opinion polls indicate that Mamdani is ahead of his primary challenger, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, just before Tuesday's vote.
Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of his funding concerns should Mamdani succeed in the election. New York City received $7.4 billion in federal funding in the current fiscal year.
'If Mamdani wins, it could change how federal funds are allocated to the city,' Trump remarked, further asserting that a Mayor Mamdani would make the previous leftist mayor, Bill de Blasio, seem competent in contrast. In lieu of expressing admiration for Cuomo, Trump mentioned that while he is not a fan of him, he would prefer 'the bad Democrat' over 'the Communist'.
Mamdani, 34, has described himself as a democratic socialist but has rejected the characterization of his politics as communist, suggesting a more moderate Scandinavian alignment. As he campaigns for mayor, Mamdani seeks to create a vision that counters both Trump and Cuomo and proposes a city that champions dignity and inclusivity for all its residents.
With the election fast approaching and tensions rising, the dynamics between the potential candidates reflect the larger political landscape of the country, as well as the varying perspectives on governance and funding in major urban centers.
