Trump Backs Cuomo Over ‘Communist’ Rival as GOP Sounds Alarm on NYC Mayoral Race

In the NYC mayoral race, Andrew Cuomo continues to dominate among crypto-aligned New Yorkers, while his rival, Zohran Mamdani, remains firmly in control of the race’s overall momentum.

US President Donald Trump recently remarked that although he’s no fan of Cuomo, a Democrat, he would still choose him over Mamdani, whom he criticized as being too far to the left.

Mamdani’s Momentum and Republican Concern

Zohran Mamdani has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures in American politics in recent months.

The New York State Representative has become a symbol of the progressive movement, recognized for his grassroots rise and left-leaning policy agenda. He has also made limited public comments regarding his stance on cryptocurrency.

Ahead of Tuesday’s mayoral election, lawmakers across the political spectrum have weighed in on the candidates. Those with a pro-crypto agenda, in particular, have thrown their support behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Trump was among those to comment, offering cautious support for Cuomo in a Sunday appearance on 60 Minutes.

“I’m not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other, but if it’s going to be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I’m going to pick the bad Democrat all the time to be honest with you,” Trump said. 

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in on the mayoral race a week earlier. He argued that senior Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are increasingly uneasy about Mamdani’s growing influence, fearing potential backlash from the party’s far-left wing.

JOHNSON: DEMOCRATS FEAR MAMDANI’S RISE IN NYC RACEHouse Speaker Mike Johnson warned that NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani could bring “Marxist” leadership if elected Tuesday.Johnson said Democrats Schumer and Jeffries are “terrified” of Mamdani’s win and fear “political…

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone)

Recent market data has also highlighted a sharp divide in support between Mamdani and Cuomo across New York City.

Youth Support vs. Turnout Reality

Prediction market data from Kalshi shows Mamdani leading among younger voters, Brooklyn residents, and grassroots supporters. At the same time, Cuomo draws most of his backing from Manhattan, older voters, and affluent New Yorkers.

A prediction poll on Kalshi currently gives Mamdani a 92% chance of winning, though recent data suggests his path to victory is not guaranteed. 

The headline odds make Mamdani (92%) look unstoppable in the NYC Mayoral race – but the Kalshi trading data tells a more complicated story.Inside NYC, more traders are bullish on Cuomo (49%) than on Mamdani (40%). Overall in New York State Cuomo leads 11%.A majority of…

— Kalshi (@Kalshi)

Within New York City, 49% of traders are betting on Cuomo, compared to 40% backing Mamdani. Statewide, Cuomo holds an 11-point lead. Most of Mamdani’s support comes from outside New York, where 58% of out-of-state traders favor him to win, versus 33% for Cuomo.

Mamdani’s trader base remains heavily concentrated among younger participants, mirroring previous trends. About 67% of those backing him are between 18 and 34 years old, compared with 51% for Cuomo. Only 11% of Mamdani’s traders are aged 45 or older. 

However, youthful enthusiasm doesn’t always translate into turnout. Early voting data shows a surge among older voters, Cuomo’s strongest demographic.

Cuomo has also recently made efforts to better align himself with the crypto and tech sectors to boost his appeal.

Can Cuomo’s Crypto Push Secure Victory?

During his mayoral campaign, Cuomo increasingly leaned on a tech-driven message to distinguish himself in the final stretch.

The former governor has vowed to make New York City a global center for crypto and artificial intelligence innovation, framing it as a strategy to attract investment, create high-skilled jobs, and modernize city governance.

Cuomo’s renewed focus on digital innovation, however, comes with scrutiny. Earlier this year, Bloomberg revealed his past paid advisory work for OKX, a crypto exchange that settled a $504 million federal case for compliance violations. 

Although Cuomo’s team insists his role was limited to policy consulting, the connection raised questions about conflicts of interest and regulatory credibility.

With Eric Adams no longer in the race, Cuomo remains the only major pro-crypto candidate—but whether his tech agenda helps or hurts him may depend on how voters weigh their options as election day approaches.