Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul on social media Monday after her Sunday endorsement of Democrat Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City.
“Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has Endorsed the “Liddle’ Communist,” Zohran Mamdani, running for Mayor of New York. This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen? Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!” he wrote.
Writing in the opinion section of The New York Times, Hochul stated that she and Mamdani differ on some policies but share priorities regarding affordability across the city and state.
“But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family,” Hochul wrote. “I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has surged to the forefront of the race. Hochul’s endorsement signals that Democratic leaders, once concerned over Mamdani’s platform, are beginning to rally behind him.
The candidate thanked Hochul for her backing, calling it evidence that “our movement is growing stronger.”
“Governor Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece of her work. I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,” Mamdani said in a statement Sunday night. “I’m grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.”
Other candidates, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa, have stepped up criticism of Mamdani in recent weeks over his policy stances and past remarks ahead of the November general election.
Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has since relaunched his campaign as an independent. Adams also bypassed the primary and is running as an independent in November. Sliwa secured the Republican nomination unopposed.
Other Republicans were quick to denounce Hochul’s move. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, said the governor’s support for Mamdani reflects political weakness.
“At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it less affordable and more dangerous — once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST,” Stefanik said in a statement.