President Donald Trump on Monday publicly condemned New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s endorsement of Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, repeating his characterization of the candidate as a communist and suggesting federal support for New York City could be at risk if Mamdani wins in November.
Trump, writing on his social media platform, said, "Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the ‘"Liddle" Communist,' Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City." He added, "How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!"
The endorsement by Hochul, announced on Sunday, came nearly three months after Mamdani captured the Democratic primary in June, a victory that included defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and several other contenders. Hochul wrote on social media that "New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani." Mamdani responded that he was "grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare."
Mamdani, 33, a Queens-based state lawmaker who identifies as a democratic socialist, emerged as the clear frontrunner in recent public polling, holding large double-digit leads over Cuomo and other candidates in surveys released over the past week. His platform includes proposals to eliminate fares on the city bus system, make City University of New York tuition-free, freeze rents on municipal housing, offer free childcare for children up to age 5 and establish government-run grocery stores. Mamdani has denied being a communist.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Mamdani since the June primary, calling him a "100% Communist Lunatic" and, in an interview on Fox News’ "Fox and Friends," referring to him as "my little communist mayor." The president’s comments mark an escalation ahead of the general election, with Trump explicitly linking his criticisms to potential federal financial responses.
Hochul’s endorsement is significant within Democratic politics in New York and could help Mamdani consolidate institutional support. Political analysts and party operatives said the governor’s backing may increase pressure on other prominent Democrats who have yet to endorse Mamdani, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Independent and Republican candidates have positioned themselves differently in the race. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams are both running as independents after Cuomo’s primary loss and Adams’ decision not to contest the Democratic primary. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels co-founder, has trailed in polling. Adams’ campaign on Sunday pushed back against reports he would drop out, with a spokesman calling such reports "complete bulls---" and attributing them to opponents unable to match the mayor’s record.
Reports in recent weeks said advisers to Trump had floated possible administration roles to patrol hopefuls such as Sliwa and Adams if they left the race, a development that both campaigns and the White House have not formally confirmed. The discussions, reported amid chatter about potential candidate withdrawals, underscored an unusual national attention on one of the country’s most consequential mayoral contests.
Mamdani’s rise has reshaped the dynamics of a race in a city where Democrats have dominated for decades. Voters and party leaders have weighed his progressive policy proposals against concerns raised by Republicans and some moderate Democrats, while national figures from both parties have been drawn into the debate. The governor’s endorsement is likely to be a focal point as the general election campaign intensifies and as party leaders decide whether to rally behind Mamdani.
Campaigns for the candidates included in the mayoral contest continued to respond to the evolving landscape on Monday. Mamdani’s allies said Hochul’s support would aid efforts to broaden his coalition, while Trump’s allies seized on her endorsement as evidence of what they described as the Democratic establishment aligning with a candidate they say is too far left for the city’s voters.
As the race moves forward, voters will weigh competing visions for New York City’s future amid debates over affordability, public services and the balance of local and federal involvement. Hochul’s endorsement and Trump’s response highlight the national attention the mayoral contest has attracted and the growing interplay between local contests and national political narratives.
