Andrew Cuomo claims Trump is going to help him defeat Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayor race

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo claimed to a crowd at a fundraiser that President Donald Trump is going to help him beat his rival, Zohran Mamdani, in the race for New York City mayor.

Interestingly, the former governor is running as an independent after Mamdani defeated him and others in the Democratic primary in June 2025.

Moreover, Mamdani is currently leading the polls against Cuomo, incumbent Eric Adams, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Andrew Cuomo hints Trump’s support could sway NYC mayor race

During a Saturday, August 16 fundraiser in the Hamptons on Long Island, Andrew Cuomo told the crowd, "We can minimize [the Sliwa] vote, because he’ll never be a serious candidate," according to Politico.

"And Trump himself, as well as top Republicans, will say the goal is to stop Mamdani. And you’ll be wasting your vote on Sliwa. So I feel good about that," he added.

Earlier in August, The New York Times reported that President Trump took a call with Cuomo as he considers intervening in the competitive race. Trump had also threatened to arrest Mamdani if he won the election and followed through on his promise to defy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in New York City. 

Meanwhile, Mamdani has picked fights with the POTUS, launching a "five boroughs against Trump" tour to draw attention to the White House’s agenda and tie his opponents to Trump.

Interestingly, the POTUS and Cuomo would be an unlikely alliance given their past criticisms of each other. 

Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi had earlier denied the outlet's reporting, telling The Independent, "The governor and the president have not spoken in some time. As far as I know, they have not discussed the race."

Azzopardi also suggested that Trump would be more interested in Mamdani or other candidates in the race.

The POTUS told reporters after The New York Times article was published that he had not spoken with Cuomo. 

Furthermore, Azzopardi called Politico’s reporting "silly," and told The Independent on Tuesday, August 19, "The governor was asked what he heard to be a hypothetical about how it could become a two person race and was speculating. We’re not asking for or expecting help from anyone — he also said the mayor would have to drop out and the mayor said he wasn’t going to."

"Governor Cuomo is the only chance to beat Mamdani and ensure the greatest city in the world stays the greatest city in the world," he said.

Internet trolls Andrew Cuomo after he says Trump will help him defeat Zohran Mamdani

Several internet users trolled Andrew Cuomo after he said that Donald Trump is going to help him beat Zohran Mamdani in the race for New York City mayor.

An online comment read, "Andrew Cuomo is beginning to smell like smoke filled backroom desperation," while another added, "While I am not a resident of New York City I certainly would not have needed such a brazenly crass and self-serving statement."

One person stated, "If Democrats actually tolerate Cuomo doing that? Then we can pretty well say it's proven there's no real distance between them and Republicans," whereas another remarked, "One of many great reasons not to vote for Cuomo."

A user also wrote, "Sorry Coumo, two wrongs don't make a right," while one commented on X, "If shameless had a name."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.