Trump Sparks Outrage After Threatening To Cut New York City Funding If Zohran Mamdani Wins Mayoral Race

Donald Trump has now turned his attention to New York City politics, warning that he could restrict federal funds if the results of the mayoral election don’t go the way he wants.

In what many see as an unprecedented move, the President told voters in NYC that he would consider cutting off financial support to the city if one particular candidate takes office.

After sitting mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, officially dropped out of the re-election race on Sunday (September 30), the contest has narrowed into a tense three-way battle. The leading contender is Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat often branded as a 'socialist', who is currently ahead in the polls.

The 33-year-old has quickly become a strong favorite, but with New Yorkers heading to the polls on November 4, the race isn’t over yet. Former governor Andrew Cuomo, who left the Democratic Party and is now running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa are still hoping to gain ground before election day.

Mamdani’s campaign promises a wide list of reforms. These include launching a free citywide bus service, offering universal childcare for children as young as six weeks, and imposing rent freezes to stop landlords from dramatically increasing housing costs.

He has also vowed to hold negligent landlords accountable and pledged to triple the production of union-built, rent-stabilized housing across New York City.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Even with the buzz around his progressive platform, critics have called Mamdani’s proposals overly ambitious and unrealistic. The New York Times described the plans as impractical, while Andrew Cuomo argued that Mamdani is too inexperienced and too radical to oversee a $115 billion budget and manage more than 300,000 city workers.

Trump, meanwhile, went even further. He not only called Mamdani a 'communist' but also suggested he could be deported, telling reporters: "A lot of people are saying he's here illegally. We're going to look at everything... we'll have to arrest him."

With just weeks left until election day, Trump escalated things even more, warning he would hold back federal funding if Mamdani wins.

President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold funding to New York City if the election doesn't go the way he wants Alex Wong/Getty Images

"Self proclaimed New York City Communist, Zohran Mamdani, who is running for Mayor, will prove to be one of the best things to ever happen to our great Republican Party," he posted on Truth Social.

"He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great City. Remember, he needs the money from me, as President, in order to fulfill all of his FAKE Communist promises. He won't be getting any of it, so what's the point of voting for him?"

"This ideology has failed, always, for thousands of years. It will fail again, and that's guaranteed! President DJT."

Trump’s words have drawn heavy backlash, shocking politicians and voters alike. Among those speaking out was Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Posting on Twitter, he wrote: "Trump wants to withhold money from New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins. Really? Because nothing says 'law and order' like the President extorting his own city if they don't vote how he wants."

If Mamdani does end up securing the position, he would make history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor.