In a recent development, President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed concern over the New York City mayoral race, particularly the candidacy of far-left Democrat Zohran Mamdani.
According to The New York Times, Trump has been in discussions with individuals across the political spectrum, questioning whether incumbent Mayor Eric Adams or former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo could potentially outperform Mamdani.
The Times report suggests that Mark Penn, a pollster associated with former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and Andrew Stein, a former New York City Council President and long-time friend of Trump, are encouraging Trump to support Cuomo.
However, Trump has denied having a phone conversation with Cuomo about the race, contradicting the Times report. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, also confirmed that the two have not spoken recently, stating, "As far as I know, they have not discussed the race."
John Catsimatidis, a billionaire Republican, has noted Trump's concern for New York, stating, "Trump loves New York, and he's worried about New York." Catsimatidis has, however, advised caution, suggesting that things should be allowed to unfold naturally.
Trump has previously criticized Mamdani, labeling him a "Communist Lunatic" in a post on Truth Social, and vowing not to let him "destroy New York." Yet, it remains unclear how Trump might further intervene in the race. Conservative talk radio figure Sid Rosenberg has expressed skepticism about the potential impact of Trump's public support for any of the candidates, given that New York City is not a stronghold for Trump supporters.
According to The New York Times, Trump has privately expressed a preference for Adams or Cuomo over GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa. Some political strategists suggest that anti-Mamdani votes could be divided among Adams, Cuomo, and Sliwa, and that Trump's influence could potentially persuade one to withdraw. However, consensus on who should step aside is lacking.
Despite Trump's potential involvement, Mamdani remains unfazed. "Whatever Donald Trump seeks to do to influence the outcome of this election, I have more faith in New Yorkers themselves," Mamdani stated, as reported by the Huffington Post.
With the election still three months away, a poll by Zenith Research and Public Progress Solutions suggests that defeating Mamdani could prove challenging. The poll found that regardless of the opposition configuration, Mamdani consistently garnered 50 percent support or higher. In the current candidate lineup, Cuomo trails in second place with 22 percent support, followed by Sliwa with 13 percent, Adams with 7 percent, and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden with 1 percent. Undecided voters make up 6 percent.
However, the credibility of the poll has been questioned following a statement by Amit Singh Bagga, founder of Public Progress Solutions, who claimed, "New Yorkers in every income bracket are all on the same Zohran Mamdani bus." Bagga further suggested that the poll results could serve as a blueprint for the Democratic Party's evolution, raising questions about the impartiality of the survey.
As the race for New York City's mayoral seat heats up, the potential influence of President Trump adds another layer of complexity. While his involvement remains uncertain, the impact of his endorsement or criticism on the race's outcome could be significant, given his political stature and influence.
However, as the candidates continue their campaigns and New Yorkers prepare to cast their votes, the final decision will ultimately lie in the hands of the city's residents.
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