Trump Warns Mamdani To ‘Behave,’ Mamdani Rejects Communist Label/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump warned New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to “behave” if elected, threatening to cut federal funds. Mamdani rejected Trump’s communist label and defended his democratic socialist platform. The clash underscores deep political divisions in NYC politics.
Trump Mamdani NYC Mayor Quick Looks
- Trump threatens to withhold NYC federal funds over Mamdani policies
- Calls Mamdani a communist, demands he “do the right thing”
- Mamdani denies communist label, embraces democratic socialism
- Candidate says he opposes billionaires amid growing inequality
- Mamdani vows to fight for working-class New Yorkers
- Trump insists NYC’s next mayor “must behave” financially
- Mamdani cites MLK’s vision for fair wealth distribution
- NYC election reflects national political tensions
Deep Look
Trump Threatens Funding Cuts If NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Wins And “Doesn’t Behave,” Mamdani Rejects Communist Label
NEW YORK — The clash between President Donald Trump and New York City’s progressive mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani escalated over the weekend, as Trump threatened to cut off federal funding to the city if Mamdani wins the mayoral race and pursues policies the president views as too radical.
Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump doubled down on labeling Mamdani a communist and issued a stark warning:
“I can’t imagine it, but let’s say this, if he does get in I’m going to be president and he is going to have to do the right thing, but they’re not getting any money. He’s got to do the right thing,” Trump said. “Whoever’s mayor of New York is going to have to behave themselves or the federal government is coming down very tough on them financially.”
Mamdani Pushes Back
Mamdani, appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” brushed off Trump’s attacks, insisting the president is trying to distract from the real issues affecting working-class New Yorkers.
“I’ve had to start to get used to the fact that the president will talk about how I look, how I sound, where I’m from, who I am, ultimately, because he wants to distract from what I’m fighting for,” Mamdani said.
He firmly rejected the communist label, instead describing himself as a democratic socialist inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I call myself a democratic socialist in many ways inspired by the words of Dr. King from decades ago who said, ‘Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism. There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country,’” Mamdani explained.
Views On Billionaires And Economic Equality
Pressed on whether billionaires should exist, Mamdani offered a candid response.
“I don’t think we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality,” he said. “And, ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country. And I look forward to work with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fairer for all of them.”
Mamdani argued that despite national progress on income inequality, New York City has seen disparities grow even wider.
He said his vision is a city where “every single person can thrive.”
A Reflection Of Political Divisions
The sharp rhetoric underscores the deeply polarized political climate surrounding New York City’s mayoral race. Mamdani, viewed as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, represents a younger, left-wing wing of the party pushing for bold reforms, while Trump and his allies paint him as a dangerous radical threatening the city’s economic stability.
Whether Mamdani’s progressive platform will resonate with enough voters to carry him to City Hall remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Trump’s threat of financial retaliation signals the potential for a fierce battle between local and federal leaders should Mamdani prevail in November.
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