Trump Threatens to Cut Federal Funds if Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Race

New York— Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that federal funding to New York City could be blocked if Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat, is elected mayor.

In a social media post, Trump claimed Mamdani would need “billions in fake socialist promises” and vowed that he would not release federal aid to support such policies.

The threat comes days after current Mayor Eric Adams announced he would not seek re-election, clearing the way for Mamdani, who recently won the Democratic primary, to emerge as a frontrunner.

Mamdani, a state assembly member known for his left-leaning policies, dismissed Trump’s remarks, saying the former president was “going through the stages of grief” over the city’s political shift.

Legal experts have questioned whether a president can unilaterally withhold congressionally approved funds, raising concerns about potential political retaliation and the impact such a move could have on essential services in New York City.