Speculation is swirling over why former President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the 2025 New York City mayoral race. The reasons appear to blend ideology, strategy, and self-interest, and reveal how complicated local politics can be for someone with national ambitions.
Avoiding Problematic Choices
Trump’s refusal to pick a side may start with the candidates themselves. He has repeatedly criticized Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, labeling him a “socialist” and even threatening to withhold federal funds from New York if Mamdani becomes mayor.
On the Republican side, Curtis Sliwa, famous for his red beret, founding the Guardian Angels, and his love of cats, has failed to win Trump’s respect. The former president has reportedly dismissed Sliwa as “not exactly prime time,” suggesting he views him as a weak standard-bearer for the GOP.
As for former governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, Trump likely sees too much baggage. Cuomo’s record, from the COVID-era nursing-home scandal to multiple harassment allegations, makes any endorsement politically radioactive.
Strategic Calculations
Trump may also be playing a longer game. Some analysts believe he wants to see whether anti-Mamdani voters can unite behind one alternative before he intervenes. Staying neutral for now keeps his options open and allows him to shape the field from behind the scenes without risking public embarrassment if his chosen candidate falters.
Ambivalence About His New York Ties
Although Trump was born in Queens, he is now a legal resident of Florida and spends much of his time at properties outside the state. That distance from the city could make him reluctant to weigh in too heavily on a local race where his personal stake is unclear. His New York base has also eroded since his presidency, making an endorsement less impactful than it once might have been.
Bottom Line: Risk and Reward
Finally, Trump may simply see little upside. A losing endorsement could damage his brand, while staying out allows him to frame the race as a fight between “Trump-style America First” values and the “socialist left.” In other words, he can claim victory no matter who wins.
For now, Trump appears content to watch the race unfold, reserving the option to jump in only if a clear anti-Mamdani contender emerges.
New York is about to be screwed.
— Steve
