Zohran Mamdani likely mayor, Trump warns rivals withdraw
Trump said Mamdani has gained a slight lead, adding he believes victory is possible only in a one-on-one race.
Washington: Former US President Donald Trump suggested that Democrat Zohran Mamdani is on track to become New York City’s next mayor unless two of his three main rivals step aside. Speaking at a White House dinner with tech executives, Trump remarked that the only way to stop Mamdani is if the crowded race narrows down. That’s a race that could be won,” he said, though he avoided naming which candidates he hoped would quit.
Mamdani, 33, a democratic socialist, rose to prominence after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary earlier this year. Since then, he has been widely viewed as the frontrunner. Still, the ballot remains crowded: Cuomo is running as an independent, current Mayor Eric Adams is seeking reelection, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, is also in the race.
Reports suggest Trump allies quietly explored whether Adams might abandon his campaign in exchange for a federal position. Adams recently met Steve Witkoff, a close Trump envoy, during a trip to Miami. While Adams admitted meeting several political figures on that trip, he denied considering withdrawal. “No pressure, no diamonds,” he told reporters. “Just because people yell at you or call you names doesn’t mean you step down. That’s not who I am.”
Adams’ reelection chances have been weakened by a corruption indictment last year, though the Justice Department later dropped the case as part of negotiations involving Trump’s immigration agenda. His improved relationship with Trump has frustrated many Democrats in the city.
At a separate news conference, Cuomo urged Adams to bow out if stopping Mamdani was the priority.
Sliwa, however, rejected the idea of consolidating the field. He argued that Adams’ voters would not automatically switch to Cuomo, describing the rivalry between the two Democrats as “like scorpions in a brandy glass.” He reiterated his determination to stay in the race, saying, “For the 9,852nd time, I’m not dropping out. I’m in it until November 4.
Trump’s comments highlight how closely he is watching the New York mayoral contest, where Mamdani’s campaign continues to gather momentum. With three opponents refusing to back down, the race remains fractured. Unless a dramatic realignment occurs, Trump’s prediction that Mamdani is “likely to become mayor” may well prove true.