NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES – In an extraordinary intervention in municipal politics, US President Donald Trump on Monday evening endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor, while threatening to withhold federal funding from the city if front-runner Zohran Mamdani wins Tuesday's election. The move has drawn sharp focus on Mamdani, a progressive Democrat born in Kampala, Uganda, and the son of globally respected Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani.

Writing on his Truth Social platform on Monday, November 3, 2025 (EAT), President Trump urged New Yorkers to vote for Cuomo, an independent, to block the election of Mamdani. "Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him," Trump stated. He further warned, "It is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required" if Mamdani is elected mayor of America's largest city.

The president's remarks echo comments from a Sunday television interview where he incorrectly labelled Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a "communist." Polls from late October show Mamdani with a lead over Cuomo. The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, trails in third place, with Trump advising his supporters that a vote for Sliwa would effectively be a vote for Mamdani.

An East African Political Inheritance

Zohran Mamdani, 34, has a background deeply connected to East Africa. He was born in Kampala in 1991 to his father, Mahmood Mamdani, and his mother, the acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair. The family's roots are in the Indian diaspora of East Africa; his paternal grandparents were born in present-day Tanzania.

His father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, is a towering figure in post-colonial studies and currently serves as the chancellor of Kampala International University. He was previously the long-serving director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR). The elder Mamdani's academic and political work, which critically examines the legacy of colonialism in Africa, has profoundly shaped intellectual discourse across the continent and globally. Zohran Mamdani spent his early years in Kampala before his family moved, eventually settling in New York when he was seven.

A Contentious Three-Way Race

The mayoral race has been unconventional. Andrew Cuomo, 67, a long-time Democrat who served three terms as New York's governor before resigning in 2021 amid scandal, is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani in a stunning upset. Cuomo has positioned himself as an experienced, moderate choice against Mamdani's progressive platform.

Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member since 2021, campaigned on a platform that includes freezing rents, creating city-owned grocery stores, and raising the minimum wage to $30 by 2030. His victory in the primary was fueled by a strong grassroots movement.

In response to Trump's statement, Cuomo sought to distance himself, telling reporters: "He's not endorsing me. He's opposing Mamdani." Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels crime prevention group, has refused to drop out of the race despite pressure to consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote.

Analysis: A President's Power Over City Coffers

President Trump's threat to cut funding raises serious questions about the use of federal power. Federal funds are typically allocated to states and cities through complex formulas set by Congress, often based on population, poverty levels, or specific infrastructure needs. While a president can influence budget priorities, unilaterally withholding congressionally mandated funds from a specific city would likely face significant legal and political challenges. Major funding streams for housing, transportation, and public health are governed by statutory requirements, not presidential preference. The statement is seen by many analysts as a political tactic to mobilize voters rather than a direct policy threat that could be easily implemented.

As New Yorkers head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the election is being watched closely, not only in the United States but also in East Africa, where the Mamdani name carries a significant legacy of intellectual and political engagement.