DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Trump threatens to cut funds if ‘communist’ Mamdani wins mayoral election

President backs Cuomo in election eve Truth Social post as Mamdani hits back at Trump’s ‘threat – it is not the law’

On the eve of New York’s well-watched mayoral election, Donald Trump issued a threat to its voters: stop Zohran Mamdani or pay.

“If Communist Candidate Zohran 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,” the president said in a post on Truth Social. “I don’t want to send, as President, good money after bad.”

Trump’s comments echo those broadcast on Sunday during his appearance on CBS’s 60 minutes, in which he said: “It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York, because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there.”

The president does not directly determine how much money any city receives from the federal government; appropriation is the constitutional function of Congress. Control over how money is spent – or withheld in acts of impoundment, which are forbidden under federal law – has become a point of increasing legal contention.

The Trump administration is well on its way toward making good on this threat even before the votes have been counted. The White House began sparring with the state over New York’s plan to enforce congestion pricing for car traffic earlier this year, which Trump revisited in a separate Truth Social post on Monday evening. The White House withheld $18bn for a tunnel project as the government shutdown started. A federal judge ordered the federal government to reverse the rescission about $34m in counterterrorism funding for the New York City, ruling the move as “arbitrary, capricious and a blatant violation of the law”.

Trump’s post described a vote for Curtis Sliwa, Mamdani’s fellow candidate and the Republican mayoral nominee, as “a vote for Mamdani” and alluded to a preference for the independent candidate, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

“I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE,” Trump wrote.

Cuomo, who has been a lifelong Democrat but ran in this year’s mayoral race as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, repeated the president’s line moments after the post while speaking with 77WABC radio.

“Now it’s gonna be up to the Republicans, and I hope they listen to the president,” he said.

In an interview on Fox News later, Cuomo said: “We need a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump.” He repeated Trump’s threat to stop funding the city and send in the national guard. “Trump will go through Mamdani like a hot knife through butter,” Cuomo said.

Later on Monday, Mamdani responded publicly to Trump’s remarks at a campaign event in Astoria, Queens, saying that he had known “for months” that Trump would support Cuomo.

“In these final days, what was rumored, what was feared, has become, naked and unabashed,” he said, according to the New York Times. “The Maga movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo is reflective of Donald Trump’s understanding that this would be the best mayor for him – not the best mayor for New York City, not the best mayor for New Yorkers, but the best mayor for Donald Trump and his administration.”

Mamdani also noted that he would “address that threat for what it is: it is a threat. It is not the law.

“And too often, we treat everything that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth as if it is already legal, just by virtue of who is saying it.”

He later added: “This funding is not something that Donald Trump is giving us here in New York City. This is something that we are, in fact, owed in New York.”

Recent polling suggests that Mamdani has at least a 10-point lead over both opponents. An Atlas Intel poll ending 30 October shows Mamdani leading with 41% in support, compared with Cuomo’s 34% support and Sliwa getting 24% support.

This article was amended on 4 November 2025. An error introduced during the editing process led to the suggestion that Andrew Cuomo opted to “bypass” the Democratic primary by running as an independent candidate. In fact he stood in the primary and lost to Zohran Mamdani.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/03/trump-mamdani-new-york-election-mayor-cuomo

And then they blame us for claiming trump is trying to be a dictator or a king? The proof is right in front of them if they bothered to open their eyes and look at it. Trying to threaten and bribe people to vote for his desired candidate can only be described as something a dictator would do. And I believe any normal thinking person would understand there's nothing legal about this.

Fate may wish to add this to his list of trump's "accomplishments". As matter of fact there's a huge number of things he left off of his list. And they would all be truthful.

Just off the top of my head, I'm not at all sure Trump can actually withhold any funds from NYC. He can make life miserable. (he does that naturally)

You are exactly correct Pit.. He is demonstrating OUT LOUD that his actions are that of a KING...

Trump Demands Voting Changes Hours After Major Democratic Wins

"Pass Voter Reform, Voter ID, No Mail-In Ballots. Save our Supreme Court from "Packing," No Two State addition, etc. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday night.

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-demands-voting-changes-hours-after-major-democrat-wins-10994395

“‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” Trump posted to Truth Social after a series of Democratic victories across the country. It is unclear which “pollsters” the president was referring to.

https://www.notus.org/campaigns/trump-shutdown-republican-election-losses-new-york-zohran-mamdani

I’m pretty sure the main reason Gopers lost elections was the economy he promised to fix on day one. Boy did he screw that pooch.

When has he not?

Makes me wonder why Republicans voted for this guy.. I guess they thought we needed to run America like a business. I once thought like that also. Back when Ross Perot was running for office the first time. I voted for him.

Now I'm seeing what that looks like.. It's not pretty at all,.

Someone thought he had a gotchya moment because Mandami was asking for money while trump just takes it from them. But they don't seem to have a problem with that.

Gives them a tax cut in one hand it takes it away from them in import taxes on the other hand. They can't seem to grasp the concept that he took their tax cut back from them. He has figured out that all he had to do was wrap it up in a flag and they would give them their seal of approval. They fall for it every time.

I don't know what funds could be withheld. I am sure there are some.

I can withhold my money. I avoid blue states, or at minimum blue cities with the exception of Cleveland, for obvious reasons. Even then, I don't spend any real money in Cleveland. It goes to the Burbs. I won't spend any of my money there. If I travel and have to cross in to one of those states, I do my best to fill up before I enter the state so I don't have to spend any money on gas. I might buy a burger of something.

I have been doing this for 3-4 years now.

My feeling is NYC is going to pay a big price for electing a communist.

My money, my choice.

Remember when Biden was President...... When it was needed, he didn't withhold one damn dollar from Red States. Do you wanna tell me why it's ok for Trump to withhold from Bluestates?

Next, explain why you think that Mamdani is a Communist? Let me guess, because Trump told you he was. I know it has to be that because he's not a communist.

He's a Democratic Socialist.

He believes in Democratic reform through elections, where a Communist believes in one party control. While at the same time, a fascist would think Dictatorship and Forced Nationalism is the way to go.

He believes in an economy with a mixed system of strong social safety nets, fair taxes, universal healthcare. Communists believe in no private ownership of business. And they Fascists believe a the economy should be mixed but favor State Direction.

He believes in economic and personal freedom and fairness. Communists believe in Subordinate to the collective of the state, and they you have a Fascist, Crushed under law and order,,, perceived or not.

You don't know what a Communist is..... Trump doesn't either. I'm guess you don't know what a Fascist is either since you voted for one!


This won't help you any because your mind is closed to anything that shines a light on Trump and his dealings...


Speaking of which, he just pardoned all those who tried to help him steal the 2020 election.

He's a low rent criminal.

Blabber away, Pal.

That's all well and good... and I agree with you.

Unfortunately, that's in no way applicable to the Federal govt withholding funding to a state because a certain person was fairly elected. It's not just your money, it's everyone's tax money. Presidential temper tantrum or no, it's not legal or common sense or anything to withhold the money.

This isn't "your money". It isn't trump's money either but you sure don't seem to mind him acting like it is...............................

Trump threatened to cut funding if New Yorkers voted for Mamdani. They did it anyway

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mamdani-trump-9.6967833

This thug of a president endorsed Cuomo and threatened to punish New York City if they elected Mandami. This is the very same man that claims others use election interference. That's the type of thing the Mafia would do, not a president. I'm not sure if you just can't see that or if you approve of that. Neither of those two is good.

They elected a terrorist and want the US to fund them No thanks.

I can't help what trump voters did.

Oh. you meant Mandami. Can you show me one thing that Mandami has done that indicates he is a terrorist? I mean did he attack the capital and assault the police while trying to stop our presidential election from being certified or something?

Since all you can say is "blabber away", you must not have any thoughts about what is and isn't communist... You might as well have "If trump says it, it must be true" Tattooed on your ass.

You may wish to think for yourself.

And this is why no-one, including me, should ever respond to anything you every post. And on a message board where MAGA gets bent out of shape when posters on the left say dumb stuff (which they do all the time) and people on the 'center' don't call it out ... and no-one from the MAGA/Trump brigade will bat an eyelid and this ridiculous comment. Just like they didn't ever mind poster spamming 'libtard' across every post .... same group who are mortally offended at the insinuation that trump is Authoratarian and want to suggest that's the root cause of random idiots commiting random idiot actions/violence, but it's kosha to call the Dems communist and Unamerican. . . ey ey ey.

you missed the second part of that stupid post. New York City: Generates the highest amount of federal tax revenue, with its residents and economy contributing a large portion of the total. So NY helps fund poor red states.

So does the entire state and California as well.

By per capita personal income

Massachusetts: $93,927
Connecticut: $93,235
Wyoming: $85,945
New York: $85,733
California: $85,518

By median household income

Massachusetts: $99,858
New Jersey: $99,781
Maryland: $98,678
New Hampshire: $96,838
California: $95,521
Hawaii: $95,322

"They elected a terrorist and want the US to fund them No thanks"

You got any proof he's a terrorist? Or are you also just listening to what trump says without an thoughts of your own?

Again, what funds can he withhold?

If there was a major flood in the city, I don't think he would simply say F'EM, let them drown. I wouldn't stand for that.

If the city starts to spend uncontrollably then seeks bailouts, then screw them.

No matter what others want to call him, I call him a communist. Really no different than calling people fascist for the last 5-6 years. It doesn't matter what we call each other.

Let's see where things go in NYC over the next 3-4 years. My feeling is it isn't going to be good. If it goes well, great, I will applaud and stand corrected.

If he wrecks the city, What do we do then? Seriously. Just stand idle or take steps to fix the problem?

I don't think he is a terrorist, at least in the conventional sense.

I think he is a communist at the helm of a great beacon for capitalism.

If they are congressionally-appropriated funds... none of them. Those are our laws. I realize he's probably just trolling... but IMO, he's been consistently normalizing actions/behaviors that run directly counter to fundamental parts of our laws/democracy. I'll leave it at that as I'm at risk of going down a long tangent.

I'm no fan of frivolous govt spending... but Republicans should probably watch their tone here. In general, blue states are the ones that are generally positive when it comes to money in vs money out. Talking tough about cutting off blue states sounds great until you consider the potential repercussions.

People get made fun of for yelling fascist at every turn, and for good reason. I see no difference here.



FWIW, I would be surprised if things in NYC go any differently than they have over the last few decades.

Trump admin cancels more than $11 billion in mostly blue state projects

https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-russell-vought-budget-ny-boston

White House freezes $18 billion in New York City infrastructure funding

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/tr...k-city-infrastructure-funding-rcna234928

It has already been happening right under your nose.

That is a bit different. Large projects get delayed or canceled all the time for political reason.

A good example is right here in Chattanooga. The Tennessee river runs through town. There was a big need to expand the lock through the Chickamauga Dam. The lock was crumbling under hydraulic stress and could only allow 1 barge to pass at a time. I know you live north of Nashville, but the Tennessee is a major waterway.

Anyway, a lock expansion was approved and work started on the project. It got to maybe 25% complete then President Obama, or during his administration pulled funding and it sat idle for 8 years. The lock was inoperable at that point so no shipping could happen north of Chattanooga.

There is a lot of commerce heading down that river north of Chattanooga.

It's back under construction and nearing completion.

My point is this isn't a President Trump problem in singular; it's been going on for a long time.

We live in unprecedented times.....................

Administration actions during government shutdowns have targeted billions in federal infrastructure/energy funds for cancellation or pausing primarily in Democratic-led "blue" states, with little evidence of comparable large cuts in "red" states, though some GOP-led states did see cuts due to specific program rules or legal battles over green energy funds.

It's been all about the war on blue states and clean energy.

When things were "normal" you had a point. Things aren't "normal" anymore.

you got any proof he's a communist? Or are you just listening to Trump again?

Just open your eyes and unclog your ears.

Let me as you a question. We have been jibber jabbering on here for close to 25 years.

In the beginning you identified as a Republican. Then when you found an easier way to pay for insurance you became a Democrat.

Now you seem off the deep end. Is it fair to say you now identify as a socialist?

You ask for proof. I suppose there is no piece of paper to hand you so I offer that Russia, the USSR identified as being a Socialist nation but I think we all know it was a little more than that.

I suppose we have been saying that since the early 1800's.

First and foremost, I've been on here as long as you, yet you never heard me say that if a President inherited a situation, it's his now. Like you did when Bush left us in a mess and you blamed it on Obama in March of 2009. Remember that.

Second, I didn't leave the republican party because of insurance. I left the republican party because I didn't want to be associated with any group or party that would ever be dumb enough to embrace an imbecile like Trump.

It was at that moment I realized, I didn't leave the party, the party left me.

It became a Racist party that I never thought it could become.

I'm off the deep end? What about you, making excuses for a guy that has 34 felony convictions... A guy that ripped off students as his university, a Guy that files bankruptcy and BRAGS about it.

Yeah, that's the level of character you seem to admire. Oh, notice I didn't say anything about Pedophilia.. That hasn't been proven yet, but the mere suggestion that it's possible and with all the info we have and are receiving, you'd think that any reasonable person would pause their thinking. But, again, you didn't do that... You dived all in and have stayed all in.

I asked a simple question, do you have Proof that Mamdani is a communist, and like all republicans do these days, you deflected and somehow made it about me.

Ok, let's make it about me.

I'm all for HELPING MY FELLOW MAN. I have no reason to EVER believe that anyone isn't worth the effort to be of help to them

As a nation, we are a collective that is there for our neighbors.

That's what makes us strong. Republicans want us to be weak.

If I see you on the street and you are hungry I'm likely to offer you food. I'm likely to offer you a bottle of water or a coat.

Does that make me a socialist or a communist or does it make me a decent human being? You can decide if you wish...

Another thing I won't do, EVER, is spout bible verses about taking care of the least of us, while at the same time, LYING about those in need and taking food out of the mouths of the needy... You won't find me doing that crap.

You can't say any of that... You support a man that doesn't have a decent bone in his body...YOU ARE WHAT YOU SUPPORT!

I wasn't around in the early 1880's. I know during my lifetime I've never said that before no matter if there was a Republican or a Democrat in the oval office. And no matter what he does or how many times you're shown this is different than any other presidency you still continue to turn a blind eye to it.

I've disagreed with presidents based on their policies or decisions. But this is different. Very different.

Your claim was such cuts are made across the board. That's your only response when I made it very clear these cuts have been targeted at blue states. That's just sad.

So you look at an example and try to say that's the rule? Any man or leader can bastardize any system be it capitalism, socialism or communism. Most of us with our eyes open are seeing it now, right here at home.

How quickly you forget the pre 1930's. And if it weren't for what people were calling communism then we wouldn't have any protection for our workers and pure unbridled capitalism would still be running everything. That was no less ugly than what you are describing. And we are seeing unions, our social safety net and consumer protections all under attack as we speak.

Any time someone tries to help all Americans and make things more secure for them people such as yourself label it as communism. It's false and one of the biggest obstacles to things like national healthcare, affordable child care, paid family leave and a host of things that would benefit all Americans.

Well done my friend. Well done.

You are way off on that. I shouldn't even waste my time with you. You were complaining about insurance and embraced the Dems long before Trump was even a blip on the screen.

You really are deranged. Read your post. You sound like a madman.

Are you trying to insinuate that the Republican party of today resembles the party of Reagan? Because some of what he is saying is how much the republican party has changed. Are you telling me you don't see that?

Nope, I didn't switch parties in 2008. What I did was vote for a candidate of the party I was not part of. I've done that all my life. I've always voted for the candidate not the party,

But you go ahead and think you know stuff that simply are wrong about.

For the record I became a Democrat in 2016...

Oh, and yea, I was complaining about Insurance... YOu would have too if you were self employed back then like I was. I have to pick up the tab for the wife and I and it was nutty expensive..... So yeah, I complained.