— President Donald Trump said Thursday night he believes Democrat Zohran Mamdani is likely to become New York City’s next mayor unless two of Mamdani’s major rivals withdraw from the race, remarks made as he hosted a White House dinner with technology leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Trump said a one-on-one contest would make the mayoral race winnable and suggested two contenders should drop out.
- Zohran Mamdani, 33, emerged as the Democratic front-runner after defeating Andrew Cuomo in the June primary.
- Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams remain on the general-election ballot as independents; Republican Curtis Sliwa is also running.
- Adams has resisted calls to quit and said he will remain in the race despite pressure and past legal challenges.
- Intermediary contacts reported by media prompted questions about whether Adams was urged to accept a federal job; those contacts were described to reporters by anonymous sources.
- Cuomo publicly urged Adams to step aside to consolidate opposition to Mamdani; Sliwa and Adams say they will not withdraw.
Verified Facts
President Trump told reporters he would like to see two candidates leave the New York mayoral contest so the race would become a direct one-on-one matchup he thinks his preferred contender could win. He declined to name which two he wanted to quit and said he did not personally press candidates to step down.
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, became the presumptive Democratic favorite after defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the June primary. Cuomo remains on the November ballot as an independent, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is also running for re-election as an independent. Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, is the Republican candidate in the field.
Mayor Adams has faced legal and political headwinds. He was indicted on corruption charges last year; the Justice Department later announced it would drop that case so Adams could assist with federal immigration efforts, a move that drew criticism from many Democrats. Adams has repeatedly said he will stay in the race.
Cuomo publicly called on Adams to withdraw, arguing that consolidating support could block a Mamdani win. Sliwa has rejected calls to quit and said he intends to remain on the ballot through Election Day.
Context & Impact
With multiple well-known figures on the ballot, the general election could split votes among candidates who appeal to similar constituencies. That fragmentation can advantage the candidate with a consolidated base, which Trump suggested is Mamdani at present.
For Democrats in New York City, the prospect of an intra-party split raises strategic questions about whether lesser candidates should withdraw to prevent an outcome they view as unfavorable. Cuomo pressed that case publicly; Adams and Sliwa have resisted, framing withdrawal as a surrender of voters’ choice.
Political operatives and outside groups will likely weigh whether to push for deals or endorsements that could change the race’s dynamics. If no withdrawals occur, campaign spending and targeted outreach in key boroughs will become more decisive.
Official Statements
“No pressure, no diamonds,” Mayor Eric Adams said when asked about calls to drop out, adding he would remain a candidate.
Eric Adams
“I’m not dropping out. I’m in it until Nov. 4,” Curtis Sliwa said, emphasizing his intent to stay on the ballot.
Curtis Sliwa
Unconfirmed
- Media reports cited anonymous sources saying intermediaries close to the White House contacted figures near Adams to discuss a possible federal position in exchange for leaving the mayoral race.
- Reports that Adams met with businessman Steve Witkoff in Miami were described to reporters by people briefed on the conversations; that reporting is based on unnamed sources and has not been independently confirmed by campaign statements.
Bottom Line
Trump’s comments have intensified public scrutiny of whether candidates will consolidate or remain divided. Mamdani’s standing as the leading Democratic figure makes him the central focus, but unless two rivals withdraw, the multi-candidate field could produce an unpredictable result and keep the race competitive through November.