Zohran Mamdani Promises to Defy Trump’s Threats to NYC [WATCH]

On the eve of Election Day, New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani led a march from the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, pledging to defy President Donald Trump’s warning that federal funding could be withheld if the self-described democratic socialist wins Tuesday’s election, as reported by Fox News.

Mamdani, joined by supporters, local officials, and Attorney General Letitia James, addressed the crowd at sunrise Monday, promising to resist what he called “threats” from the Trump administration.

“What we have seen in cities and states across the country is the necessity of, not just using the bully pulpit but also the courts, to ensure that every dollar that a municipality is owed is a dollar that is paid,” Mamdani said.

“And I will take every single day, after this election, to put together my city government, my city hall, to ensure that it is prepared not only for the threats from Donald Trump, but also the threats from an affordability crisis that has put one in four New Yorkers in poverty.”

President Trump, in a 60 Minutes interview with Norah O’Donnell that aired Sunday night, said it would be “hard” for him “to give a lot of money to New York” if Mamdani wins.

“Because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump said.

Trump has frequently criticized Mamdani, who defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June. The president has referred to Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic” and “my little communist.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Mamdani rejected the labels but continued to campaign as a progressive opponent of the Trump administration, launching a “Five Boroughs Against Trump” tour during the summer.

Mamdani responded to Trump’s latest remarks by suggesting that the president effectively endorsed Cuomo. “Late last night, Andrew Cuomo received Donald Trump’s endorsement,” Mamdani said at his rally.

“If elected as mayor, our city will only descend deeper into a darkness that has forced too many of our neighbors to flee and made it impossible for working people to live lives of dignity.”

Cuomo campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi denied that claim, telling Fox News Digital that Mamdani is “lying.”

Azzopardi added, “There’s only one candidate in this race who has a record of fighting for New York and battling the Trump administration when it was in New York’s best interest and winning, and that’s Andrew Cuomo.”

Letitia James, who joined Mamdani’s rally days after pleading not guilty to two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, praised the candidate and said he represented “the courage that New Yorkers are desperate to see in elected officials.”

James previously filed a civil lawsuit against The Trump Organization in 2019 that found the company liable for fraud and has continued pursuing litigation against the Trump administration this year.

“Donald Trump may speak as if it is his decision, but this is money that this city is owed,” Mamdani said. “This is money that we will expect to collect.”

As Election Day approaches, Mamdani has positioned himself as the candidate most willing to challenge President Trump while framing Cuomo as aligned with the White House.

“We have long known that Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump’s puppet in this race,” Mamdani said. “What we did not quite expect is for him to become his parrot in the final days, as well.”

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.