Trump Endorses Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race, Sparks Outrage

UPDATE: In a surprise twist, former President Donald Trump has given a controversial endorsement to ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo for the upcoming New York City mayoral election, igniting fierce backlash from rival candidate Zohran Mamdani. During an interview aired on July 15, 2025, on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Trump stated he would choose Cuomo over Mamdani, whom he labeled a “communist.”

Mamdani swiftly responded, mocking Cuomo’s endorsement from a president with low approval ratings in New York City. “Congratulations, Andrew Cuomo! I know how hard you worked for this,” he posted on social media. This endorsement comes just days before the election, raising the stakes significantly.

The New York City mayoral election, which concludes tonight, has seen an unprecedented 735,000 early ballots cast—marking the highest early in-person turnout for a non-presidential election in the city’s history. This surge in voter engagement has been largely driven by younger voters, with over 100,000 voters under 35 participating in the final weekend of early voting.

Political analysts are watching closely, as experts like Laura Tamman from Pace University note that the increase in youth turnout is a “meaningful shift” that could favor Mamdani. Polls indicate that Mamdani maintains a commanding lead over both Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Cuomo, who recently lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has faced criticism for attempting to align himself with Trump. Leaked audio from a recent fundraiser revealed Cuomo discussing his expectations for support from Trump in his independent run. Further complicating matters, Cuomo has faced accusations of employing racially charged tactics to undermine Mamdani, framing him as an outsider to New York culture.

In a notable comment, Cuomo suggested that Mamdani, who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Uganda, lacks an understanding of New York’s values. “His parents own a mansion in Uganda… he just doesn’t understand the New York culture,” Cuomo stated during an interview on Fox Business.

Mamdani’s rebuttal was sharp: “This is Andrew Cuomo’s final moments in public life, and he’s choosing to spend them making racist attacks.” The tension is palpable as both candidates vie for the support of a diverse electorate.

With polls closing tonight, all eyes are on New York City as voters prepare to cast their ballots. Will Trump’s controversial endorsement sway public opinion, or will it backfire against Cuomo? Stay tuned for the latest updates as this high-stakes election unfolds.