President Trump dropped a bombshell on Sunday, threatening to cut all federal funding to New York City if radical Democrat-Socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race and refuses to “behave himself” in office. The former president didn’t mince words when discussing the controversial candidate who has openly advocated fighting ICE and suggested he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump Vows Federal Funding Cutoff to NYC Under “Communist” Leadership
In a fiery interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, President Donald Trump made it crystal clear that New York City’s financial lifeline from Washington would be in serious jeopardy if Democrat-Socialist Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor. The former president didn’t hold back his assessment of Mamdani, labeling him a “pure communist” and “radical left lunatic” who represents a dangerous direction for America’s largest city.
Trump’s warning came as Mamdani, who shockingly defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, continues gaining momentum in the mayoral race with support from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. The 32-year-old state assemblyman has campaigned on radical proposals including wealth redistribution, defunding police, and implementing policies that directly conflict with federal immigration enforcement.
Would you support Zohran Mamdani being deported from our country? pic.twitter.com/v8HPsVFz3N
— MAGA Posts (@MAGAPosts) June 29, 2025
“I can tell you this, whoever’s mayor of New York is going to have to behave themselves, or the federal government is coming down very tough on them financially,” Trump declared during the interview. His remarks underscore the high stakes in the upcoming election, which could determine whether New York City continues receiving crucial federal dollars for infrastructure, law enforcement, and emergency services.
The former president expressed particular concern about Mamdani’s anti-ICE stance and controversial statement suggesting he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York. “It’s shocking,” Trump said, highlighting the radical nature of Mamdani’s policy positions that diverge dramatically from mainstream American values.
Mamdani’s Radical Agenda Exposed
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to Indian parents and moved to New York as a child, has built his political identity around extreme leftist policies that have alarmed moderate voters across the political spectrum. His campaign platform includes proposals to dramatically raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers while implementing socialist-style wealth redistribution programs that critics say would devastate the city’s economy.
Perhaps most concerning to many Americans is Mamdani’s openly stated position: “I don’t think that we should have billionaires.” This radical stance puts him squarely at odds with the free-market principles that have made America the world’s economic powerhouse and signals his intention to implement punitive taxation on job creators and business owners.
While Mamdani claims his policies are inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s views on wealth distribution, critics point out that his approach goes far beyond anything Dr. King advocated. The mayoral candidate has consistently aligned himself with the most extreme elements of the progressive movement, including fellow Democratic-Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has enthusiastically endorsed his candidacy.
Even prominent Democrats like New York Governor Kathy Hochul have declined to endorse Mamdani, recognizing the extreme nature of his platform and the potential damage his policies could inflict on New York’s already fragile economy. This lack of support from mainstream Democrats speaks volumes about how far outside the political mainstream Mamdani’s positions truly are.
Trump’s Ultimatum: “Do The Right Thing” Or Lose Federal Support
Trump’s warning to New York voters comes as the city faces mounting challenges including rising crime rates, a persistent homelessness crisis, and an exodus of businesses and taxpayers seeking refuge in more business-friendly states. Federal funding represents a crucial lifeline for the city, supporting everything from subway maintenance to affordable housing programs and anti-terrorism initiatives.
“He’s a communist,” Trump stated bluntly, cutting through political niceties to identify what he sees as the fundamental threat Mamdani poses to New York’s future. The former president’s willingness to speak plainly about the dangers of socialist policies stands in stark contrast to the cautious rhetoric employed by many other political figures.
Zohran Mamdani’s plan to tax people based on skin color isn’t just wrong, it’s racism pure and simple. We’ve got a mayor who calls white people “crackers” and now a socialist pushing race based property taxes.
I’ll fix the system the right way: fair, transparent and smart.
No… pic.twitter.com/lQl9n4fwky
— Curtis Sliwa (@CurtisSliwa) June 28, 2025
“He’s a radical, left lunatic,” Trump continued, highlighting the extreme nature of Mamdani’s policy agenda that includes fighting against federal immigration enforcement and implementing wealth redistribution schemes. These policies would not only damage New York’s economy but potentially create serious conflicts with federal law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting America’s borders.
While Trump didn’t explicitly endorse any candidate in the mayoral race, his message was unmistakable: New York voters face a critical choice between radical socialism and preserving their city’s economic viability through continued federal support. The implications extend far beyond city politics, potentially affecting millions of New Yorkers who depend on federally funded programs and services.
America First Approach to Local Governance
Trump’s tough stance on conditional federal funding represents a continuation of his America First approach to governance, ensuring that taxpayer dollars only flow to jurisdictions that respect federal law and American values. During his first term, President Trump took similar actions against sanctuary cities that refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, demonstrating his willingness to use financial leverage to ensure compliance with national priorities.
This approach stands in sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s hands-off policy toward radical local officials who have implemented dangerous progressive experiments in cities across America. Under Biden’s watch, federal funds have continued flowing to cities that have slashed police budgets, refused to prosecute criminals, and openly defied federal immigration law.
Trump’s warning signals a return to responsible oversight of federal tax dollars and a commitment to ensuring that America’s largest city doesn’t become a laboratory for dangerous socialist experiments. By drawing this line in the sand, the former president is reminding voters of the real-world consequences of electing radical candidates who prioritize progressive ideology over practical governance.
As New York voters prepare to head to the polls, Trump’s intervention serves as a powerful reminder that elections have consequences that extend far beyond city limits. Whether New York continues receiving critical federal support may ultimately depend on whether voters reject Mamdani’s radical agenda in favor of more responsible leadership aligned with American values and respect for the rule of law.
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Trump threatens to cut off New York City funds if Mamdani ‘doesn’t behave’