Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo battle over President Trump's potential involvement in NYC mayor's race
A war of words in the New York City mayor's race erupted Thursday following a report that President Trump is not only closely following the contest but thinking about whether he should get involved.
The New York Times has reported that Mr. Trump and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo are considering teaming up to derail Zohran Mamdani's campaign, a story that sent the Queens assemblyman on the attack.
Cuomo "conspiring with President Trump," Mamdani claims
At a news conference on Thursday morning alongside union leaders, Mamdani told his supporters his campaign won't be intimidated.
"Former Gov. Cuomo has been conspiring with President Trump," Mamdani said. "We know that this former governor has very little regard - whether it be for the Democratic party, the Democratic process, or for Democrats themselves.
"We know that Andrew Cuomo will sell working people out for his interests, for the interests of the billionaires that supported him, for the interest of Donald Trump, because all of those interests are lining up as one and the same," Mamdani added.
Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary, also published a list of 11 so-called "facts" to show the Cuomo-Trump relationship goes back decades, including Mr. Trump once attending a Cuomo birthday party, and filming a video for his bachelor party, saying he was sad to miss the event.
Cuomo vehemently denied he ever talked to the president about the mayor's race.
"We had a contentious relationship," Cuomo said. "I don't recall the last time I spoke with him. I left a message after the attempted assassination. I don't believe I spoke to him. I believe I left the message for him."
Cuomo also tried to compete with Mamdani in showcasing ideas that would make the city more affordable, including:
- Raising minimum wage to $20
- Eliminating city income taxes for a family of four earning $77,000
- Lowering the price of groceries for those in need
"I also believe I'm in a much better position, and I'll be a much better advocate for New York than the assemblyman who, frankly, is a rookie," Cuomo said.
The Times story says Mr. Trump has held calls with Cuomo's team, something the president denied when asked about it in the oval office on Wednesday.
Mayor Adams says his focus is only on NYC
Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday his focus going forward is on New York City, not on the president's potential involvement in the mayor's race.
Adams was asked if he has spoken to Mr. Trump about the Times report. He said his conversations with the president "are about bringing resources to the city," adding, "I think the president loves New York. Everyone sees the threats we're facing. I'm going to do what I'm going to do -- stay focused, no distractions and grind, run my campaign."
Mr. Trump not liking Sliwa's chances, Times report says
The Times article also says Mr. Trump has expressed doubts about Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa's chances in November.
"There's no doubt he talks often with Eric Adams. He talks often to Cuomo, who he has known. The families have known one another. He doesn't talk to me, so I have advised the president stay out of this race," said Sliwa, who has not allied himself with Mr. Trump.
If the president does decide to officially weigh in on the race, it's unclear whether his impact would help or hurt Cuomo, who has previously proposed that whoever is not leading in the polls by mid-September should drop out, fearing they'll split the vote and pave the way for a Mamdani victory.
