Trump Considering Cuomo's Support? Former Governor Says No

Trump's Potential Involvement in the New York City Mayoral Race

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering increasing his involvement in the New York City mayoral race, with several individuals suggesting that former Governor Andrew Cuomo would be a strong candidate to support. However, this potential alliance could be complicated given Cuomo’s long-standing reputation as a critic of Trump and his administration.

The New York Times first reported that Trump recently spoke with Cuomo about the race and has engaged in multiple discussions with supporters and donors regarding how to best challenge Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblymember who won the Democratic mayoral primary by over 10 percentage points. At least two individuals reportedly advocated for Cuomo during these conversations.

Despite this, it remains uncertain whether Cuomo can convince his base to support an alliance with Trump, especially since his campaign has consistently positioned itself against Trump’s policies and leadership. During a primary debate in June, Cuomo stated, “I know how to deal with Donald Trump because I’ve dealt with him before many times.” He added that he was “the last person on this stage that Mr. Trump wants to see as mayor.”

Mamdani, who is running as a democratic socialist, criticized the idea of Cuomo engaging with Trump, calling it “disqualifying” and “a betrayal.” In a statement released Wednesday, Mamdani said, “The job of New York City Mayor is not to be jester for a wannabe king, it is to protect the people of this city.” He further argued that such a move was “not just a shady backroom deal by a cynical politician, it is disqualifying. It is a betrayal.”

Earlier this year, Trump told reporters that he has “always gotten along” with Cuomo and encouraged him to stay in the race to “run a tough campaign” against Mamdani. If Trump decides to back Cuomo, it would not be the first time he has offered financial support to the former governor. Trump and several members of his family donated to Cuomo’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign, despite Cuomo stating he was “deeply critical” of the president.

The second Trump administration has not always been friendly toward Cuomo. This year, the Justice Department launched an investigation into allegations that Cuomo lied to Congress about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as governor. The White House did not respond to questions about Trump’s thoughts on Cuomo’s comments or whether the investigation influenced his decisions.

Some individuals who have spoken with Trump about the mayoral race have suggested he should support Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent. The Trump administration has previously aligned with Adams, including when the Justice Department dropped a corruption case against him earlier this year. However, polling suggests that Adams may not perform as well in the race.

Trump’s involvement could also benefit Mamdani, who has repeatedly criticized Cuomo for his connections to donors who supported Trump’s presidential campaigns.

Cuomo’s campaign has denied any communication between the former governor and Trump. A spokesperson for Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, stated, “The Governor and the President have not spoken in some time.” He also criticized both Adams and Mamdani, calling Adams “a wholly owned subsidiary of the President” and suggesting that Trump sees Mamdani as a potential political asset for Republicans.

Azzopardi emphasized that Cuomo is the only candidate in the race capable of defending New York values and challenging Trump. He concluded, “We’ll leave the palace intrigue to the gossip mill.”

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