Trump may ‘personally intervene' to stop Mamdani becoming New York mayor

Telegraph

a day ago

Donald Trump is considering getting involved in the New York mayoral race in an effort to stop Zohran Mamdani from winning.
The US president reportedly spoke to Andrew Cuomo after he lost the Democratic primary to socialist candidate Mr Mamdani, according to insiders.
Mr Trump is also said to have pressed a Republican congressman and a New York businessman about who has the best chance of beating the millennial frontrunner, The New York Times reported.
Despite losing to Mr Mamdani, weeks later Mr Cuomo re-entered the race as an independent candidate, adding to an already crowded field. Mr Trump later denied having spoken to Mr Cuomo.
Eric Adams, the current mayor, is also running independently, while Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate.
Mr Trump is said to have been briefed by Mark Penn, a pollster who worked for the Clintons, and Andrew Stein, a former New York City council president, who have both apparently suggested Mr Cuomo would be the best candidate.
During a White House meeting in mid-July, Mr Trump asked congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican from the New York suburbs, about who would stand the best chance in a one-on-one race against Mr Mamdani, a source told The New York Times.
The source said Mr Trump doubted whether Mr Sliwa could win and said he liked Mr Adams and had always gotten on with Mr Cuomo.
It is not clear how Mr Trump would involve himself were he to decide to try and intervene in the race, but allies of Mr Adams and Mr Cuomo have been hoping Mr Trump will help coalesce support around one anti-Mamdani opponent.
If all three rivals stay in the race, the vote could splinter and hand Mr Mamdani the keys to Gracie Mansion.
Mr Mamdani's promises to freeze rent, open city-run supermarkets and free buses helped him achieve a sweeping victory in the Democratic primary. His campaign, largely run on social media, has capitated voters frustrated with extortionate prices.
Mr Trump's conversation with Mr Cuomo reportedly took place when the former New York governor was deciding whether to continue his campaign.
While some Republicans view Mr Mamdani as a potentially useful bogeyman of the Left who would provide useful ammunition for the 2026 midterms, Mr Trump is said to be concerned about the Democratic candidate's policies.
Mr Trump, who was born and raised in New York and owns several businesses in the city, has publicly criticised Mr Mamdani.
Last month, Mr Trump vowed he would not 'let this communist lunatic destroy New York', saying he holds 'all the levers' and 'all the cards'.
He added: 'I'll save New York City, and make it 'hot' and 'great' again, just like I did with the good ol' USA!'
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Mr Cuomo, said Mr Trump and Mr Cuomo 'have not spoken in a while' but did not expand on how long 'a while' meant.
'As far as I know, they have not discussed the race,' Mr Azzopardi said.
Mr Mamdani said in a statement: 'Andrew Cuomo has spent his career governing for the powerful and prioritising his own self-interests over those of the people he was sworn to serve. This is not just a shady backroom deal by a cynical politician, it is disqualifying. It is a betrayal.'
He added: 'The job of New York City mayor is not to be [a] jester for a wannabe king, it is to protect the people of this city.'