President Trump said Monday that New York City voters "really have no choice" and "must vote" for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral election.  

"Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job," the president said in a Truth Social post. 

Mr. Trump said if Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani wins on Tuesday, "it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success or even survival!"

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Mr. Trump said he is "not a fan of Cuomo," but added, "if it's going to be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I'm going to pick the bad Democrat all the time."

Elon Musk also jumps on Cuomo bandwagon

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has been polling as the frontrunner, ahead of Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, since winning the Democratic nomination. Speaking Monday night in Queens, Mamdani reacted to Mr. Trump's decision and had words for Elon Musk, who also gave his endorsement to Cuomo.

"The reason that the president of the United States of America, the reason one of the wealthiest men in the world, are both trying to get involved at the last minute is that they know we will accomplish everything we have run on," Mamdani said.

The president has been highly critical of the Queens assemblyman's campaign promises to freeze rent and make buses free, adding "New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win."

Mamdani made his closing argument by saying his supporters are poised to change the future of the city.

"Making history to show when you focus and fight for working people you can in fact remake the politics of the place you call home," Mamdani said.

Cuomo, Sliwa skeptical of President Trump's endorsement

Cuomo, a Democrat, is running as an independent candidate since losing the primary, and Mr. Trump's statement Monday could play a major role in who Republican voters ultimately choose to support.

"A vote for Curtis Sliwa ... is a vote for Mamdani," the president said.

Cuomo said Monday night he didn't really see Trump's endorsement as true support for his candidacy.

"President Trump doesn't support me. He opposes Mamdani. He doesn't support me. It's the opposition of Mamdani," Cuomo said.

Sliwa was also not moved by being passed over by Mr. Trump, and kept his fire on Cuomo.

"To resurrect a political zombie, Andrew Cuomo, who is the reason we are in crime crisis -- no cash bail, raise the age, close Rikers ... no, no, no we're not going backwards. We're going forwards," Sliwa said Monday night at a rally in Brooklyn.

Sliwa has turned down mounting calls to drop out of the race from his fellow Republicans, who believe his presence will split moderate-to-conservative voters in the three-way race and hand the City Hall keys over to Mamdani.

"I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience," the president said.