Mamdani Pounces as Leaked Audio Shows Cuomo ‘Expecting Trump’s Help’ to Win
"Trump himself, as well as top Republicans, will say the goal is to stop Mamdani... and you'll be wasting your vote on Sliwa. So I feel good about that," Cuomo said in a leaked recording.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani criticized a report Tuesday about his main rival, ousted former Governor Andrew Cuomo, saying he hopes U.S. President Donald Trump will help him win the upcoming general election.
Politico obtained a leaked audio recording of Cuomo speaking at a fundraiser in the Hamptons this weekend. In it, he expressed confidence that Trump and other Republicans would make it clear to their constituents that they should support him over Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
“Trump himself will say, and leading Republicans will say, that the goal is to stop Mamdani… and your votes will be lost to Sliwa. So I’m happy with that,” Cuomo said, according to Politico.
During the fundraiser, Cuomo also indicated that he would have a better relationship with the president than with Mamdani and that there was room for collaboration.
Cuomo said, “Let’s put it this way: I knew the president well. I think a big part of him is yearning for redemption in New York. He feels he was rejected by New York. We voted for Hillary Clinton. Bill de Blasio removed his name from some documents, so I think there are opportunities to work with him. I also think he wouldn’t want to face me in New York if he could avoid it.”
Shortly after the Politico article was published, Mamdani posted on social media criticizing his rival for welcoming help from a president whose far-right, anti-immigrant, and anti-free speech agenda threatened the city he aspires to lead.
“At another fundraiser Saturday in the Hamptons with Republican donors, Andrew Cuomo made it clear: he expects Trump to help us defeat him in November,” Mamdani wrote. “I’m happy with that. New Yorkers won’t accept it.”
Mamdani then cited a previous New York Times article detailing a call between Cuomo and Trump about the mayoral race.
Mamdani said, “We’re seeing the fruits of that collaboration today. But as we demonstrated in the primaries, our efforts can counter their funding. Let’s unite and win even more. In 11 weeks.”
A spokesperson for Cuomo insisted that the former New York governor had not sought Trump’s campaign assistance, although he had publicly discussed it during a private fundraising campaign.
He told Politico: “We’re not asking for help from anyone, nor are we expecting it from them. Governor Cuomo is the only chance to defeat Mamdani and ensure the greatest city in the world remains intact.”
Mamdani’s campaign is focused on the city’s affordability crisis and has pledged to implement a free bus system, free childcare for all, a network of city-owned grocery stores, and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments. Cuomo and other centrist Democrats have tried to portray Mamdani as “unrealistic” and attacked his support for Palestinian rights. But these attacks have so far failed, as the state congressman handily won the Democratic primary in June.
General election polls show Mamdani with a significant lead over his rivals in a four-way race involving Cuomo, Sliwa, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. However, the same poll also indicates that this lead would be significantly reduced if Sliwa and Adams were to withdraw from the race.
