Trump slams Hochul over endorsing Mamdani, floats withholding federal funds

President Donald Trump slammed New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday after the Democrat politician endorsed socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor over the weekend. For months, Hochul as well as other Democrats have refrained from backing the Ugandan-born far-leftist, but that resistance has waned for Hochul, who faces a tough gubernatorial race and may be seeking Mamdani and the Democrat Socialists of America's support.

Trump posted on Truth Social, "Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the 'Liddle' Communist,' Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely."

Trump then floated the idea of withholding federal funding from New York City, "No reason to be sending good money after bad! President DJT."

Hochul announced her endorsement of Mamdani in a New York Times opinion piece, where the New York governor praised the socialist, saying that she is "confident that he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment," despite some disagreements with the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

Hochul cited Mamdani's goal of making the Big Apple an "affordable" place to live, and said she made it clear that "police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe." Mamdani has previously called for defunding the police. However, he has walked back those comments, as well as comments about globalizing the intifada and other radical left-wing slogans and policies.

Additionally, despite speaking about her disagreements with Mamdani, she said they could agree on one thing: opposing President Donald Trump. Hochul wrote that she "needed to know the next mayor will not be someone who would surrender one inch to President Trump." Mayor Eric Adams, during his tenure, has worked with the Trump administration somewhat on immigration policy.

"New York needs leaders who will put aside differences, stand up and fight back against Mr. Trump. Mr. Mamdani and I will both be fearless in confronting the president’s extreme agenda — with urgency, conviction and the defiance that defines New York. And we must never allow Mr. Trump to control our city like the king he wants to be. Anyone who accepts his tainted influence or benefits from it is compromised from the start," Hochul added.