Trump says Hochul's endorsement of Mamdani is 'very bad' for New York City
NEW YORK (WABC) -- President Donald Trump had a strong reaction over Gov. Kathy Hochul's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election.
Hochul endorsed Mamdani in an Op-Ed in the New York Times on Sunday evening.
In a social media post Monday, Trump described Hochul's endorsement as "a very bad one for New York City" and implied the federal government would consider holding back federal funds from the city.
"This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "How can such a thing happen?" Trump asked. "Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad! President DJT"
Hochul said Monday that President Trump "inserting himself into our local election, trying to put his thumb on the scale and clearing the field for his designated choice" for mayor "put me over the top" to endorse Mamdani.
She said she cannot have a mayor "tainted or compromised" by the Trump administration.
Hochul has described herself as moderate, and a strong supporter of Israel, but says she and Mamdani are united when it comes to stopping Trump administration policies that could hurt the city like cuts to Medicaid.
The governor's endorsement acknowledged her differences with Mamdani, but in a news conference on Monday, she doubled down on her support for the frontrunner.
"Yesterday I endorsed Zohran Mamdani, I made it very clear that we had differences, but I also believe he had a sense of optimism and a can-do spirit, a positivity that I believe our city needs at this time," Hochul said. "We all know there's a lot of work that occurs at the state government level once the budget starts and our priorities are unfolding."
When or if the governor will join Mamdani on the campaign trail was not immediately clear. But her endorsement might help his chances among more centrist Democrats.
"I'm excited to welcome Governor Hochul to our movement and to show the partnership at hand between City Hall and Albany in fighting to make the most expensive city in the United States of America affordable," Mamdani said. "And in fighting back against an authoritarian administration that seeks to tear apart the very fabric of this city."
Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams once touted a strong working relationship. His legal trouble, relationship with the Trump administration and decision not to run as a democrat in the primary haven't seemed to affect that, but Adams trails Mamdani in the latest poll. It shows the democratic socialist Assemblyman with a commanding lead among voters overall.
Adams said Hochul called him before the endorsement announcement.
"She has always been respectful to me as mayor of the largest city in America," Adams said. "She called me prior to making the endorsement and we had a great conversation."
Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa's campaign spokesperson issued a statement saying, "The worst governor in America just endorsed the worst candidate for mayor. They deserve each other. New Yorkers see through the backroom politics and know Curtis Sliwa is fighting for them, not the insiders. Curtis will be mayor this year, Elise Stefanik will be governor next year, and the nonsense will finally end."
Hochul was Andrew Cuomo's lieutenant governor, but distanced herself from him after his resignation and allegations he sexually harassed 11 women.
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