Trump warns of NYC fund cuts if Zohran Mamdani doesn’t ‘behave’: ‘He’s going to have to do the right thing’

Donald Trump went on to describe Mamdani as a “pure communist,” adding that his election would be “very bad” for New York.

Updated on: Jun 30, 2025, 20:00:04 IST

By HT News Desk

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United States President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a warning to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, asking him to “behave” himself.

Trump further said that Mamdani is a “pure communist”, adding that his win would be “very bad” for New York.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that whoever becomes the mayor of New York will “have to behave themselves,” warning that the federal government would be “coming down very tough on them financially” if they didn’t.

Donald Trump went on to describe Mamdani as a “pure communist,” adding that his election would be “very bad” for New York.

Calling Mamdani’s potential victory “inconceivable,” the US President added, “if he does win, he's going to have to do the right thing.”

Also Read | ‘Looks terrible, not very smart’: Trump's first assessment of Zohran Mamdani

“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,” Trump said.

‘I’m fighting for the very people he ran a campaign to empower': Mamdani denies Trump's ‘communist’ claim

While denying Trump's remarks claiming that he was a “pure communist”, Mamdani said that he was fighting for the “very working people” that Trump had wanted to empower.

“I'm fighting for the very working people that he ran a campaign to empower that he has since then betrayed,” Mamdani said. In an interview with NBC, Mamdani defended his aim to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations. The Democrat has said that these would be used for provisions like free buses, a rent freeze and a minimum hourly wage of $30.

Mamdani said that he wanted to shift the tax burden from “overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs” to wealthier homes in “whiter neighborhoods”. “I don’t think that we should have billionaires," he said, while reiterating the need for equality across the US.

However, Mamdani has witnessed hesitance from his own party, with moderate Democrats expressing concern on his victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary for the Democratic nomination.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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