Election Day Tests Trump’s Clout as Mamdani Leads New York Mayor Race

Overview

• President Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo and said he would limit New York’s federal funding if Zohran Mamdani wins, again branding the Democrat a “communist.”
• Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Muslim socialist who won the Democratic primary, leads recent polls over Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
• Barack Obama returned to active campaigning with rallies in Virginia and New Jersey, assailing Trump’s record and warning of risks to U.S. democracy.
• Reports say Obama also phoned Mamdani to praise his campaign and offer future counsel, though he has not formally endorsed in the New York race.
• Today’s contests — including governor races in Virginia and New Jersey and the New York mayoralty — are widely viewed as an early barometer for the 2026 midterms and voter concerns over costs and public safety.