In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has made a strong appeal to New Yorkers, urging them to cast their votes for former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the upcoming mayoral race. On the eve of the election, Trump took to Truth Social, stating, “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.” This endorsement highlights Trump’s belief in Cuomo’s capabilities, contrasting them sharply with those of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who Trump claims “is not!”
Trump's backing of Cuomo, whom he referred to as having a “Record of Success,” raises questions about the potential impact on Cuomo’s support among Democratic voters. While this endorsement may resonate with some Republicans in the predominantly Democratic landscape of New York City, it could also alienate Cuomo from the very party base he needs to secure victory. In the primary elections, Mamdani managed to shock the political establishment by defeating Cuomo, and he has consistently linked the former governor to Trump, arguing that he would challenge powerful interests in both New York and Washington.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, has been vocal about his opposition to Trump and has labeled him a negative influence on the city. Following Trump’s comments, Mamdani tweeted his congratulations to Cuomo, sarcastically acknowledging the support from Trump. He stated, “I know how hard you worked for this,” further emphasizing the irony of Trump's endorsement.
Interestingly, Trump has also downplayed the candidacy of Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee. Although he stopped short of demanding Sliwa withdraw from the race, Trump remarked, “A vote for Curtis Sliwa (who looks much better without the beret!) is a vote for Mamdani.” This statement reflects Trump’s strategy to consolidate support for Cuomo while discouraging votes for Sliwa, who currently sits in third place in the polls.
Recent surveys suggest that Mamdani holds a double-digit lead over Cuomo, with Sliwa trailing. While the polls indicate Mamdani's advantage, they also show that he has not yet achieved a clear majority of support among voters. This dynamic adds complexity to the race as both candidates vie for undecided voters in the final hours before the election.
Adding to the mix, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a known Trump ally, also endorsed Cuomo over Mamdani and Sliwa. Musk commented, “Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdani or whatever his name is,” further complicating the narrative surrounding the election.
During a recent debate, Mamdani pushed back against Cuomo’s claims of experience, stating, “You will hear from Andrew Cuomo about his experience as if the issue is that we don’t know about it. The issue is that we have all experienced your experience.” This comment illustrates the tension between the candidates as they negotiate their respective credentials and visions for New York City.
In addition to his comments about the mayoral race, Trump has been vocal about his critique of current Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who campaigned alongside Mamdani over the weekend. Trump accused Hochul of “killing the entire region with Energy Prices that are OUT OF CONTROL” and hinted at potential actions against New York City’s Congestion Pricing plan.
This ongoing political drama in New York City highlights the complexities of local elections, where endorsements from high-profile figures like Trump and Musk can significantly influence public sentiment. As the election approaches, all eyes will be on the results and how they reflect the changing political landscape in the city.
