NYC mayoral candidates take aim at Trump during Al Sharpton-led forum: ‘Existential threat'
Mayoral candidates all but declared war on President Trump during a forum organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton Thursday – with frontrunner Andrew Cuomo labeling the Republican commander in chief an 'existential threat.'
The 47th president — who has pulled back nearly $200 million in funding from the city — was dumped on during a series of sit-down interviews between City Hall hopefuls and the influential civil rights leader at the National Action Network Convention in Manhattan.
'When President Trump puts his finger in your chest, the worst thing you can do is step backwards,' said Cuomo, who as governor frequently attacked the Republican president during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'What you have to do is step forward. And that's what we have always done,' said the three-term Democrat, who resigned in 2021 while facing sexual harassment allegations, which he fiercely denies.
'He's huffed and he's puffed, but he's just never going to blow in the door of New York,' he said of Trump.
While he called Trump an 'existential threat,' to the Big Apple, Cuomo then got existential himself.
'No. What if I die?' the 67-year-old replied when asked if would promise to serve a full term if elected mayor.
'Short of death, I commit,' he then added.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and state Sen. Jessica Ramos — the only two women in the race — got the most raucous cheers during their appearances, and also ripped Trump.
'New York needs a change. New York is bleeding and hemorrhaging right now and we need something different. We need a touch from a woman that can get this thing done right,' said the council speaker, as she took a shot at Mayor Eric Adams.
'Somebody not afraid of Donald Trump nor (who) will hawk his people's books,' she added, referencing Adams holding up FBI Director Kash Patel's book during a speech Wednesday about his federal case getting tossed for good.
The packed crowd also erupted when Ramos said she was armed and ready when asked about going toe-to-toe with Trump.
'I'm ready to bring a gun to a gun fight,' she said.
Left wing candidate Zohran Mamdani, who's been in second place behind Cuomo in recent polling on the Democratic mayoral primary, stressed 'New Yorkers are non-negotiable' when asked how he could work with Trump while also standing up to him.
'I'm not willing to give up a single New Yorker,' he said in reference to federal immigration raids — while noting he was willing to work with Trump on lowering groceries.
The incumbent Adams, who has faced criticism of being too soft on Trump and who earlier Thursday he'd be running for re-election on an independent line, vowed to face down the White House regardless of who leads it.
'I'm going to fight any White House that is not going to benefit our city,' he said before pivoting to slamming President Joe Biden over his border policy and Gotham's migrant crisis.
Asked if he'd push back against Trump's campaign to quash diversity, equity and inclusion, Adams quipped, 'You look through this administration and see all of this chocolate, you can't say I'm not doing my thing.'
Hizzoner said he was heartbroken when questions swirled about whether he had engaged in a quid pro quo to get his federal criminal case dropped in exchange for helping with Trump's immigration crackdown.
'My heart is broken, but I'm not gonna be angry cause God is good and I'm gonna bless the lord at all times, his praise will continuously be in my mouth,' Adams said.
'When others turn against me, Jesus stands with me and I'm gonna be the mayor and be reelected cause God's will will be done.'
The Trump administration has so far clawed back $80 million in FEMA funding that was meant for migrant services and another $100 million in unspent COVID-19 funds.
Trump has also warned he wants to pull the federal approval for congestion pricing — with a court case ongoing about the controversial program's survival.
Other Democratic mayoral primary candidates — including City Comptroller Brad Lander, former comptroller Scott Stringer and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie — also criticized the president during the Sharpton-led forum.
Trump, as he boarded Air Force One Thursday en route to Miami, said he wasn't thinking about endorsing anyone in the race.
Asked about Cuomo running for mayor, the president said, I've always gotten along with him' and 'we always had a pretty good relationship'
— Additional reporting by Josh Christenson
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