The New York City mayoral race, already one of the most closely watched contests in recent memory, has taken on a new layer of intrigue as allegations swirl about possible meddling by former President Donald Trump. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist, has accused former Governor Andrew Cuomo of conspiring with Trump to rig the upcoming election in Cuomo’s favor. The accusations, which have been hotly denied by both Cuomo and Trump’s camp, have injected fresh uncertainty into a race that could reshape the political landscape of both the city and the nation.
According to a report from The New York Times cited by both Newsweek and The Center Square, Trump has privately discussed whether to intervene in the New York City mayoral race, with the aim of blocking Mamdani’s path to City Hall. Trump reportedly spoke with pollster Mark Penn and former New York City Council President Andrew Stein about polling that shows Cuomo as Mamdani’s strongest competitor. The Times also reported that Trump and Cuomo have spoken directly, though it remains unclear who initiated the call or what exactly was discussed. Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told Newsweek, “The Governor and the President have not spoken in some time. As far as I know, they have not discussed the race.”
Despite these denials, Mamdani has been vocal in his condemnation of any perceived alliance. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, August 7, Mamdani said, “The job of mayor is not to audition to be the jester for a want-to-be king. New Yorkers do not want a mayor who is working in tandem with the president to subvert the will of the people of New York City.” He went even further on social media, posting, “Today we learned Andrew Cuomo is directly coordinating with Donald Trump, even as this President sends masked agents to rip our neighbors off the streets and guts the social services so many New Yorkers rely on. It’s disqualifying and a betrayal of our city.”
The tension between the candidates is palpable. Mamdani, whose primary victory shocked New York’s political establishment, has positioned himself as a champion of progressive policies. His platform, which includes proposals for a wealth tax to fund free bus service and tuition-free college, has drawn both fervent support from the city’s left and harsh criticism from Republicans and moderate Democrats. Some within his own party have expressed concerns about the city’s shift to the left, with critics warning that his policies could hurt Democrats more broadly in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Cuomo, who was soundly defeated by Mamdani in the June Democratic primary, has dismissed the accusations as political theater. In a post on his campaign’s X account, Cuomo wrote, “As usual, you’re short on facts and long on nonsense. And while I’m here, let’s be real—Donald Trump would go through you like a hot knife through butter. You would be a dream come true to the Republican party.” Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, elaborated to Newsweek, suggesting that Trump’s interest in the race might be more about sowing discord among Democrats than genuinely supporting any particular candidate. “Regarding his reported interest, it seems clear that President Trump would either prefer Mr. Mamdani, whom he refers to as a ‘commie,’ because he believes Mamdani would serve as a political boon to Republicans nationwide in the midterms, symbolizing what he sees as the Democratic Party’s extremism. Alternatively, he may favor Eric Adams, who is a wholly owned subsidiary of the President. And there is already a Republican in the race, who is the nominee of President Trump’s party. There is only one candidate in this race who can effectively defend New York values and take on Donald Trump—the one official who already has: Andrew Cuomo.”
For his part, Trump has publicly denied any involvement. When asked by reporters on Wednesday, August 6, if he had spoken to Cuomo about the mayoral race, Trump replied, “I haven’t, no I haven’t.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also weighed in, telling Fox News Digital that Trump “has repeatedly stated, he has no intention of getting involved or making an endorsement in the New York City mayoral race.”
The controversy has drawn in other prominent Democrats as well. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who also ran for mayor, posted on X, “Hey @andrewcuomo: Is it true that you spoke to Donald Trump about clearing the right-wing lane for you? When? What did you promise him in return? New Yorkers deserve to know.” U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a high-profile progressive, wrote, “NYers knew Andrew Cuomo was backed by Trump’s orbit. That’s why he lost the primary. Now we have confirmation. It’s time for Dem leaders to unite behind @ZohranKMamdani. If they don’t now, how can they call for party unity later? We must lead by example. Let’s win together.”
Representative Jerry Nadler, another influential Democrat, also voiced his support for Mamdani on social media, saying, “He won because he addressed the affordability crisis facing NYC. That’s why I’m supporting him. But courting Trump—the man who wants to destroy our city—is a betrayal of NYers.”
The political drama comes amid a shifting landscape in New York City politics. Recent polling indicates that Mamdani leads in a four-way race against Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. In a hypothetical two-way race, the contest between Mamdani and Cuomo is much closer, falling within the margin of error. The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, and analysts are watching closely, viewing the race as a potential bellwether for the future direction of Democratic politics in major American cities.
Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running for re-election, has tried to distance himself from the escalating feud. Earlier in the week, Adams stated he would never leave New York City, even if it were run by a socialist, suggesting his commitment to the city regardless of the outcome. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa remains in the race, though polling suggests he faces steep odds in the heavily Democratic city.
The stakes of the mayoral race extend well beyond the city’s borders. As Politico and The New York Times have noted, the outcome could serve as a litmus test for the Democratic Party’s willingness to embrace progressive candidates in urban strongholds—or, alternatively, for the ability of more centrist figures like Cuomo to mount a comeback with the help of unlikely alliances. The possibility of Trump’s involvement, whether real or perceived, has only heightened the sense of unpredictability and drama surrounding the contest.
As the campaign heads into its final months, one thing is clear: the battle for New York City’s future is far from settled. With accusations flying, alliances shifting, and national figures weighing in, voters will have no shortage of drama to consider when they head to the polls this November.
