President Donald Trump warned Monday that federal funds for New York could be in jeopardy after Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed [1] Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the city’s mayoral race, as reported [2] by The New York Post.
“Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed [sic] the ‘Liddle’ Communist, Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York,” President Trump wrote online.
“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. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump is threatening federal funding after New York Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed communist Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor
“Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the “Liddle’ Communist,” Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a… pic.twitter.com/wZibNKGZZg [3]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 15, 2025 [4]
Hochul’s endorsement was revealed late Sunday by the New York Post, ahead of her guest essay in the New York Times defending her choice. The governor, who had previously stayed out of the primary battle, wrote that her decision came after extensive talks with Mamdani.
“In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” Hochul wrote.
“But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers.
That’s @ZohranKMamdani [5]. https://t.co/i9I0OzDdXJ [6]
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) September 14, 2025 [7]
Mamdani, a far-left lawmaker from Queens, won the Democratic nomination in June but has struggled to secure backing from the state’s top Democrats.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have so far withheld endorsements. It remains uncertain whether Hochul’s move will push them to formally support Mamdani.
Thank you @KathyHochul [8]!
I’m grateful for the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her resolve in standing up to Trump, and her focus on making New York affordable. I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together.
Our movement is only growing stronger. https://t.co/xFlMZN7s3q [9]
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) September 15, 2025 [10]
The timing of Hochul’s announcement surprised political observers, as she had resisted pressure to weigh in on the race for months.
Her decision provides a significant boost for Mamdani as he faces former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, current Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Trump, speaking on Fox and Friends last Friday, had predicted Mamdani could prevail despite his controversial positions. “I’m not looking at the polls too carefully, but it would look like he’s going to win,” Trump said.
“And that’s a rebellion.”
The President’s remarks on Monday escalate tensions between Washington and Albany, raising questions about how federal funding may be impacted if Hochul and other state leaders continue to back Mamdani’s candidacy.