According to a New York Post report, President Trump has urged New York mayoral hopefuls to clear the field within days to block Democratic socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani from taking City Hall, The Post has learned.
Trump phoned billionaire John Catsimatidis on Sunday to voice concern about the race. “He is concerned about the New York City race. He does not want a socialist mayor, and he said, ‘It’s not going to happen under his watch,’” Catsimatidis told The Post.
In a rare presidential intervention in a city contest, Trump set a 10-day deadline for the field to narrow. “At the end of the next 10 days, he wants the most qualified candidate to beat Mamdani,” Catsimatidis said.
Pressed on Trump’s exact plan, Catsimatidis replied only, “He’s going to do whatever he has to do.”
Sources said Trump is weighing ways to push Curtis Sliwa and Mayor Eric Adams aside in favor of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Polls show Cuomo holding second place since the primary, while Sliwa trails in third and Adams in fourth.
Trump’s calculus, sources said, is not based on admiration for Cuomo but on polling that shows Mamdani’s support plateauing and his negatives climbing — making Cuomo the most viable challenger.
This story is developing…
Trump sets deadline to thin field in crowded NYC mayoral race in attempt to fight off Mamdani: ‘He’s going to do whatever he has to do’ https://t.co/yrtqYgsmW3 pic.twitter.com/pSNjqANFXs
— New York Post (@nypost) September 4, 2025