By: Russ Spencer

President Donald Trump offered a surprising endorsement of sorts on Tuesday, telling reporters — as highlighted by The New York Post — that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should remain in the New York City mayoral race, despite his defeat in the Democratic primary to Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.

According to a report that appeared in The New York Post, speaking from the White House lawn, Trump was asked directly about Cuomo’s decision to relaunch his campaign as an independent after falling to Mamdani in the June primary. Rather than dismiss the former governor’s chances, Trump said, “I think he should stay. I think he has a shot.”

The remarks, reported by The New York Post, come at a particularly contentious moment in the race for Gracie Mansion. Mayor Eric Adams, who is also seeking re-election on an independent line after declining to enter the Democratic primary, has been critical of Cuomo’s decision to continue his campaign, arguing that a crowded field only benefits Mamdani, whom Adams and others have labeled a far-left radical.

Yet Trump appeared to brush aside concerns about vote splitting on the center-left. “I think Andrew [Cuomo] would have a good shot,” the president said. “He’s got to run a good campaign. You know, he’s running against a communist.”

Trump’s use of the term “communist” to describe Mamdani aligns with the president’s broader rhetoric on the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Mamdani is a prominent member. Mamdani’s upset victory in the Democratic primary sent shockwaves through New York political circles, with many establishment figures scrambling to recalibrate their positions.

In his comments Trump also hinted at potential vulnerabilities facing Mamdani. “I don’t think that race is over yet,” he told reporters. “We do have a couple of people running. There are things coming out about him [Mamdani].” However, Trump did not elaborate on what specific “things” he was referencing.

Significantly, Trump declined to state his preference among the candidates now officially in the race. As The New York Post reported, when pressed on whether he would throw his support behind Cuomo, Adams, or another contender, Trump responded, “I don’t want to say.”

This omission stood out, especially given that Adams has had a complicated political relationship with Trump, at times distancing himself from the former president while on other occasions appearing alongside him at city events during his earlier political career.

The New York Post report also highlighted a separate development involving former Governor Cuomo. According to the newspaper’s reporting, Trump’s interim U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., Judge Jeanine Pirro, has launched an investigation into Cuomo’s past conduct — specifically probing allegations that Cuomo may have misled Congress on matters yet undisclosed. Pirro, a longtime New York legal figure and political commentator, is known for her adversarial history with Cuomo, dating back to her unsuccessful bid against him for New York attorney general.

The New York Post report emphasized that while the nature of the inquiry remains unclear, it could present an additional hurdle for Cuomo as he attempts a political comeback through his independent mayoral bid.

The evolving mayoral contest now features a fractured field: Zohran Mamdani representing the Democratic left after his stunning primary victory; Eric Adams pursuing re-election as an independent candidate with support from centrist and business-aligned voters; and Andrew Cuomo, re-entering the political arena under his own banner, betting on his long-standing name recognition and ties to moderate Democrats.

Trump’s comments, as detailed in The New York Post report, have the potential to influence the dynamic of the race, particularly among conservative-leaning or swing voters. Although Trump stopped short of endorsing any candidate, his public musings tend to shape political narratives in New York City and beyond.

Political observers are watching closely to see whether Cuomo’s persistence in the race will fracture the anti-Mamdani vote or offer a viable alternative to Adams. Trump’s unexpected vote of confidence in Cuomo, despite their differing political affiliations and histories, adds another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable mayoral race.