Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa says Trump’s involvement could backfire, helping Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani — a vocal critic of Israel — in New York’s heated mayoral contest.
New York City’s Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa has urged President Donald Trump to steer clear of the city’s bitterly contested mayoral race, warning that any intervention could play straight into the hands of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
“In this situation, it doesn’t help if he intervenes in New York City,” Sliwa told Fox 5.
“Every day it’s Trump versus Zohran Mamdani, it’s a good day for Zohran Mamdani. Every day that Cuomo and Adams talk about you, ‘you drop out, you job out,’ it’s a good day for Zohran Mamdani.”
The race has been anything but ordinary. Mamdani — a progressive Democrat who ousted former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary — now faces off against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Sliwa, the Republican challenger.
Mamdani has drawn sharp criticism for his anti-Israel positions, including declining to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada” and promising to honor International Criminal Court arrest warrants — even those targeting Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also faced backlash for condemning Israel on October 8, 2023 — just one day after Hamas’s massacre — while failing to denounce the terrorist group itself.
When asked about the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Mamdani avoided a direct answer, instead saying he would ensure compliance with international law.
Trump has made no secret of his disdain for Mamdani, calling him a “communist lunatic” and vowing not to let him “destroy New York.”
“I think he’s terrible. He’s a communist,” Trump said. “The last thing we need is a communist. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun watching him because he has to come right through this building to get his money.”
Sliwa’s warning followed a New York Times report claiming Trump had held multiple calls with Cuomo and was considering entering the fray. Cuomo denied it, saying:
“I can’t remember the last time I spoke to President Trump. I have never spoken to him about the mayor’s race.”
Sliwa, however, advised Trump to focus on national and geopolitical issues:
“Spend your time where it’s needed more… This election in New York City does not affect all Americans.”
With Trump looming in the background, Cuomo mounting a comeback, and Mamdani’s controversial positions dominating headlines, New York’s mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable — and politically explosive — contests in years.New York City’s Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa has urged President Donald Trump to steer clear of the city’s bitterly contested mayoral race, warning that any intervention could play straight into the hands of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
“In this situation, it doesn’t help if he intervenes in New York City,” Sliwa told Fox 5.
“Every day it’s Trump versus Zohran Mamdani, it’s a good day for Zohran Mamdani. Every day that Cuomo and Adams talk about you, ‘you drop out, you job out,’ it’s a good day for Zohran Mamdani.”
The race has been anything but ordinary. Mamdani — a progressive Democrat who ousted former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary — now faces off against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Sliwa, the Republican challenger.
Mamdani has drawn sharp criticism for his anti-Israel positions, including declining to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada” and promising to honor International Criminal Court arrest warrants — even those targeting Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also faced backlash for condemning Israel on October 8, 2023 — just one day after Hamas’s massacre — while failing to denounce the terrorist group itself.
When asked about the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Mamdani avoided a direct answer, instead saying he would ensure compliance with international law.
Trump has made no secret of his disdain for Mamdani, calling him a “communist lunatic” and vowing not to let him “destroy New York.”
“I think he’s terrible. He’s a communist,” Trump said. “The last thing we need is a communist. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun watching him because he has to come right through this building to get his money.”
Sliwa’s warning followed a New York Times report claiming Trump had held multiple calls with Cuomo and was considering entering the fray. Cuomo denied it, saying:
“I can’t remember the last time I spoke to President Trump. I have never spoken to him about the mayor’s race.”
Sliwa, however, advised Trump to focus on national and geopolitical issues:
“Spend your time where it’s needed more… This election in New York City does not affect all Americans.”
With Trump looming in the background, Cuomo mounting a comeback, and Mamdani’s controversial positions dominating headlines, New York’s mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable — and politically explosive — contests in years.
