‘Not getting any money’: Trump threatens to cut New York City’s funding if Zohran Mamdani ‘doesn’t behave’

According to data by New York City’s comptroller, the city gets more than $100 million from the federal government through different entities and programs.

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks next to a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. during the National Action Network's Saturday action rally at House of Justice in Harlem, in New York. (AP Photo)

US President Donald Trump has threatened to cease federal funds for New York City if its favoured Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani “doesn’t behave himself” and if he wins the mayoral polls. Mamdani has rejected Trump’s allegations of being “a Communist” but reaffirmed his commitment to raise taxes on “rich and white neighbourhoods”.

During an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked about his views on democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, to which the Republican leader said that Mamdani’s victory was “inconceivable” since he views him as “a pure communist”.

.@POTUS on Zohran Mamdani: “He’s a communist. I think it’s very bad for New York… but 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…” pic.twitter.com/YQaum1L9q5

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 29, 2025

Elaborating the scenario if Mamdani gets elected, Trump said “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. He’s got to do the right thing or they’re not getting any money,” The Guardian reported.

🚨BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani DOUBLES DOWN on taxing white neighborhoods.

“I’m just stating how things are.” pic.twitter.com/7GKiFp0m8R

— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) June 29, 2025

According to last year’s data by New York City’s comptroller, the city gets more than $100 million from the federal government through different entities and programs.

Mamdani, while speaking to NBC News on Sunday said, “No, I am not” a communist. Taking a potshot at President Trump, the 33-year-old mayoral frontrunner said he would have to get used to the president talking 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.”

Mamdani also talked about his campaign pledge to raise taxes for “rich and white neighbourhoods to shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners.” Mamdani has floated the idea of hiking tax on income of over $1 million and a rise in corporate taxes to match New Jersey.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic battle against Mamdani, is planning to run for the mayoral polls independently. Mamdani, who is a frontrunner in Democratic list, still faces stiff competition from Gracie Mansion in the Democratic primary