New York, Nov 4 (NationPress) U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning ahead of Tuesday's election, stating that if Zohair Mamdani, the highly controversial Democratic candidate, wins the mayoral race, he will significantly reduce federal funding to the city.

Mamdani, who is associated with the Democratic Socialists, secured the party nomination in June, defeating notable figures like former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump remarked, 'If the Communist Candidate Zohair Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home.'

Trump expressed that a city under a 'Communist' mayor would face dire challenges, stating, 'This once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival! It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don’t want to send, as President, good money after bad.'

In a surprising cross-party endorsement, Trump backed Cuomo, who is running as an independent, instead of the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, known for establishing a vigilante group to oversee the city’s transit system.

Trump warned that voting for Sliwa equates to voting for Mamdani. He urged voters to support Cuomo, stating, 'Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not.'

Mamdani has rejected the label of 'communist,' and his backers argue against it. However, he has openly discussed his leftist agenda, stating during a meeting with the Democratic Socialists of America, 'Our end goal is seizing the means of production.'

Trump criticized Mamdani’s ideology, saying, 'His principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful.'

Trump further warned, 'It is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win,' emphasizing his preference for a 'Democrat with a Record of Success' over a 'Communist with no experience.'

Trump's endorsement might alienate some moderate Democrats while potentially drawing in Republican support for Cuomo. The voter landscape is fragmented, with combined votes for Cuomo and Sliwa exceeding those for Mamdani.

Recent polling data from RealClearPolitics shows Mamdani leading at 46.1%, followed by Cuomo at 31.8%, and Sliwa at 16.3%.

As a divisive figure, Mamdani has also openly supported the Khalistan movement, participated in rallies with provocative slogans against Hindus, and made statements that some interpret as anti-Semitic.

The 34-year-old candidate’s rise is attributed to Trump’s declining popularity in New York City, with Mamdani and his supporters mocking Cuomo over Trump’s endorsement.

Cuomo echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating, 'A vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani.'

Concerns among Democrats persist that a Mamdani victory could tarnish moderate Democrats in upcoming mid-term elections. This hesitance is reflected in the lack of endorsements for Mamdani from prominent figures like former President Barack Obama and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer.

Having secured his party’s nomination with promises such as free public transportation, rent freezes, and high taxes on the wealthy, Mamdani has also made controversial claims about arresting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and boycotting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Despite being the son of a Hindu mother and a Ugandan Shia Muslim father, Mamdani identifies with both his father’s religion and his South Asian heritage, occasionally claiming African American identity as well.