Trump Hints at Limited Support for Socialist NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he may offer limited federal assistance to Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat socialist who was elected mayor of New York City, telling supporters that "we want New York to be successful."

Speaking at a rally in Miami, Trump added, "We'll help him, a little bit maybe," a remark that drew laughter from the crowd, according to Reuters reporting.

The comments came just a day after Mamdani's victory, which capped a campaign rooted in liberal housing and labor changes. His election marks a dramatic shift in New York's political landscape — and an unusual moment for the Trump administration, which has long been at odds with the city's leadership.

In recent days, Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani's socialist platform, labeling it "extreme" and "basically communistic."

Trump accused Mamdani of wanting to "turn New York into Venezuela," and warned that "federal aid should go to places that respect American values."

The president suggested he might cut or restrict federal funds to New York if Mamdani pursued what he called "radical experiments with taxpayer money."

Those remarks echoed a long-running tension between Trump and New York's liberal politicians.

During his presidency, Trump has clashed with the city's leadership over immigration and policing, often portraying New York as mismanaged under extreme left-wing policies.

Mamdani — as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and an outspoken critic of corporate power — appears to have sharpened that divide with his victory.

Still, Trump's statement in Miami hinted at a possible softening, or at least a strategic recalibration. By saying "we want New York to be successful," the president appeared to signal a willingness to work with Mamdani, even as he continued to frame him as an ideological opponent.

Political analysts said the remarks may reflect Trump's awareness of New York's economic importance and the optics of punishing the nation's largest city.

Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda and a state assemblyman before his mayoral run, has not responded publicly to Trump's comments.

During his campaign, Mamdani argued that his platform — focused on affordable housing and workers' rights — represented "a moral and economic necessity," not radicalism.