Speaking to Maria Bartiromo, Trump called a Mamdani victory “inconceivable” and vowed: “Let’s say this – if he does get in, I’m going to be president, and he’s going to have to do the right thing, or they’re not getting any money. He’s got to do the right thing or they’re not getting any money.” More than $100 billion flows to the city each year through various federal programs, according to the city comptroller.

Mamdani Rejects Communist Label

On NBC’s Meet the Press, Mamdani answered “no, I am not” when asked if he was a communist, as Trump alleged. He said the president’s attacks on “how I look, how I sound, where I’m from, who I am” serve only to distract from his platform.

Renewed Push for Wealth Tax

Mamdani invoked the words of Martin Luther King Jr., saying: “Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism. There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country.” He confirmed his pledge to shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to richer and whiter neighbourhoods, declaring: “I don’t think that we should have billionaires.”

Democratic Party’s Mixed Response

While progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Mamdani, many moderate Democrats have held back. Gov. Kathy Hochul said after the June 24 primary, “Obviously, there’s areas of difference in our positions, but I also think we need to have those conversations.” Mamdani said he welcomes those talks, insisting his vision is “driven by an assessment of what’s actually happening.”