Trump threatens federal funding over NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani's progressive agenda

US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with a threat to cut off federal funding to New York City if Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, wins office and “doesn’t behave himself.”

Mamdani recently secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary held on June 24.

In an interview on Fox News, Trump labeled Mamdani “a pure communist” and expressed disbelief at his primary win. “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,” Trump said.

More than $100 billion in federal funding flows into New York City through various programs and agencies, according to last year’s report by the city comptroller.

Mamdani, speaking with NBC’s Meet the Press, rejected Trump’s accusation.

“No, I am not” a communist, he said. He also acknowledged that he expects more personal attacks from the president. “I’ve already had to start to get used to the fact that the president will talk about how I look, how I sound, where I’m from, who I am – ultimately because he wants to distract from what I’m fighting for.”

Reaffirming his progressive platform, Mamdani emphasised his belief in economic equality. “I don’t think that we should have billionaires,” he said, describing the current economic landscape as one marked by extreme inequality. “Ultimately what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country.”

Citing Martin Luther King Jr. as a key influence, Mamdani quoted the civil rights leader: “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.”

One of Mamdani’s campaign proposals includes shifting the tax burden from overtaxed working-class homeowners in outer boroughs to wealthier neighborhoods.

He described the plan as a response to current imbalances. “It’s not driven by race,” Mamdani said. “It’s more of an assessment of what neighborhoods are being undertaxed versus overtaxed.”

The candidate expressed willingness to collaborate with all residents of the city, including billionaires, stating, “I look forward to work with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fairer for all of them.”

Despite his win and backing from prominent progressive figures such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani has not yet received support from many established Democratic leaders. Governor Kathy Hochul, for instance, commented cautiously: “Obviously, there’s areas of difference in our positions, but I also think we need to have those conversations.”

Mamdani welcomed the opportunity for discussion, saying, “Ultimately, my policies, my vision, it’s driven by an assessment of what’s actually happening.”

Asked if moderate Democrats are afraid of his candidacy, Mamdani replied, “I think that people are catching up to this election. Ultimately what we’re showing is that by putting working people first, by returning to the roots of the Democratic party, we actually have a path out of this moment where we’re facing authoritarianism in Washington DC.”

Trump, commenting further on Mamdani’s proposed policies—including opposing federal immigration crackdowns and seeking to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York—dismissed them as extreme and unworkable. “He’s a radical left lunatic,” Trump said.

Mamdani, however, emphasised that his campaign has been about more than just opposing Trump. “Democrats need to be a party that’s not just against Donald Trump. And our campaign was for working people, bringing dignity back into those lives,” he said.