President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Zohran Mamdani on monday, democratic socialist candidate running for Mayor of New York City.
On Truth Social, Trump mocked Mamdani’s political ideology, calling it “FAKE Communist promises” and stating that Mamdani “needs the money” from federal funds to push his agenda.
Trump further declared that Mamdani would not receive any federal funds should he win the mayoral race, asking, “What’s the point of voting for him?”
‘We will fight for every dollar’
CNN’s Erin Burnett questioned Mamdani about the potential loss of New York City’s $7.4 billion in federal funding if Trump follows through on his threat.
CNN: Trump called you a communist. Are you?
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) September 29, 2025
Mamdani: No. I'm a democratic socialist. He knows the message of politics is connecting with New Yorkers– it's a message of dignity… Donald Trump is going through the many stages of grief. First it's denial that this could ever take… pic.twitter.com/KYvMgnBbug
Mamdani firmly rejected the idea of losing that funding, promising, “We will fight for every single dollar that the city currently receives from the federal government.”
He also added examples from California, where state Attorney General Xavier Becerra successfully fought the federal government’s funding threats and secured millions in lost funding.
Mamdani expressed his intention to follow a similar legal strategy to protect the city’s finances.
Trump has been repeatedly calling Mamdani a ‘Fake communist.
CNN’s Erin Burnett aired a compilation of clips showing President Donald Trump repeatedly calling Mamdani a “communist.” Following the clips, Burnett turned to Mamdani and directly asked, “Are you?”
“No. I’m a democratic socialist,” Mamdani said. “I’ve said that time and again.”
Mamdani slams Trump
Mamdani also weighed in on Trump’s continued attack adding that president was going through a “grieving process” over his candidacy. He noted, “First, it’s denial that this could ever take place.
Now it’s acceptance.” Mamdani added that Trump’s efforts to discredit him were also part of a larger strategy to benefit Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race.
Mamdani’s comments came just one day after New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he would drop out of the mayoral race. This sudden decision cleared the way for a three-way contest between Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Trump’s political maneuvering has been widely seen as a part of his support for Cuomo, whom he believes could present a stronger challenge to Mamdani’s campaign.
Trump calls Mamdani a ‘fake communist’
On Monday, Trump stated that the mayoral nominee and warned that he “is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city.”
He wrote, “Self proclaimed New York City Communist, Zohran Mamdani, who is running for Mayor, will prove to be one of the best things to ever happen to our great Republican Party,” Trump said on Truth Social. “He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city.”
“Remember, he needs the money from me, as President, in order to fulfill all of his fake communist promises. He won’t be getting any of it, so what’s the point of voting for him?”