Trump urges New Yorkers to vote Cuomo for mayor: 'He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!'

President Trump on Monday urged New York City voters to back former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race, officially throwing his support behind his onetime rival as he trails Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, in the polls.

"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. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!" Trump posted on Truth Social ahead of Tuesday's election.

The president, a native New Yorker, warned against supporting Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, reasoning that a vote for Sliwa amounted to a vote for Mamdani. And Trump reiterated his threat to withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani is victorious.

"It is my obligation to run the Nation, and it is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win," Trump posted. "His principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful."

"I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE," Trump added.

Cuomo said last month he would not accept an endorsement from Trump if offered one.

Mamdani defeated Cuomo earlier this year in the city's Democratic primary, and polling has shown the New York State Assembly member retains a lead heading into Election Day. The Decision Desk HQ polling average shows Mamdani leading the field with 44.6 percent support, followed by Cuomo at 31.6 percent and Sliwa at 18.6 percent. 

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers have already voted early in the mayoral contest.

Mamdani has said he would be willing to work with Trump to lower the cost of living for city residents. He said earlier Monday that he would be prepared to fight the administration over its threats to withhold federal money from the city.