New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has hit back at former U.S. President Donald Trump after he called Mamdani a “complete and total failure” and warned that his leadership would turn New York into an “economic and social disaster.” The comments came as the heated mayoral race entered its final stretch, with Trump declaring that if Mamdani were elected, federal funding for New York City would likely be reduced to the “bare minimum.”
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Mamdani said the former president was “threatened” by his campaign and what it represents. “You can clearly see that Donald Trump is threatened by our campaign because it challenges the status quo and fights for working-class New Yorkers,” Mamdani told CNN. He added that Trump’s statement was an attempt to intimidate voters and divert attention from real issues such as housing affordability, healthcare, and income inequality.
Mamdani, who has built his campaign on progressive economic and social reforms, emphasized that the federal funds Trump referred to are not gifts but money rightfully owed to the city. “This is not Trump’s personal account. These are funds due to New York City, and no president has the authority to deny them because of a local election result,” he said, reiterating his determination to fight for the city’s rights.
The clash between Trump and Mamdani has turned the New York mayoral race into a national flashpoint. Mamdani, a 34-year-old of Indian and Ugandan descent, has energized younger and working-class voters with promises of free public transit, rent freezes, and universal childcare. His growing popularity has unsettled conservative and corporate circles, leading to strong reactions from figures like Trump.
Political analysts say Trump’s comments underline a broader struggle between progressive city movements and federal conservative power. While Mamdani frames his campaign as one of justice and equality, Trump’s warning highlights a continuing national divide over how cities should be governed.
As New York heads to the polls, the tension between both camps continues to grow. For Mamdani, the controversy has only amplified his message: that his campaign is not about fear, but about fairness. “We’re not afraid of threats,” he said. “We’re here to rebuild a city where people, not politics, come first.”