• Trump threatens to cut federal funding to NYC if Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral election.
• Senator Bernie Sanders condemns Trump's actions as extortion.
• Mamdani downplays the threats, framing them as part of Trump's consistent behavior.
• Adams bows out of the mayoral race, influencing the election landscape.
• Mamdani holds a strong lead in the polls against Cuomo and Sliwa.

President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding for New York City if Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani wins the upcoming election. Trump vocalized these threats on social media, referring to Mamdani as a "self proclaimed New York City Communist" and stating that the election of Mamdani would pose “problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city.” He emphasized his stance by claiming that Mamdani "needs the money from me, as President," for what Trump labeled as “fake Communist promises,” according to South China Morning Post.

Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Trump's threats as "extortion," asserting that such actions contradict the principles of law and order Trump claims to uphold. Sanders wrote, “Because nothing says ‘law and order’ like the President extorting his own city if they don’t vote how he wants,” highlighting the absurdity of threatening a city for electoral outcomes, according to The Hill.

Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, responded to Trump's comments by stating he is not intimidated by the threats, framing them as “just one of the many threats that Donald Trump makes.” In an interview on "The View," he emphasized the need to resist normalizing such overreach from federal authorities, indicating he plans to “fight that” while ensuring that New York City remains prioritized. He stated that Trump is undergoing "the many stages of grief,” as he contemplates Mamdani’s potential victory, as reported by ABC News.

The political landscape in New York shifted dramatically after incumbent Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from the mayoral race. Adams' exit leaves Mamdani with a significant lead in the polls against opponents like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. Polls had indicated that even if Adams' supporters shifted allegiance to Cuomo, Mamdani would still maintain a substantial advantage, with a recent poll showing him up by 16 points against Cuomo amidst a fragmented field, according to South China Morning Post.

Despite the intense dynamics and threats surrounding the campaign, Mamdani remains focused on his proposed policies for New York City, reiterating his commitment to the city’s priorities over partisan entertainment. He is confident in his support base, which he credits for his position in the race, disregarding concerns over endorsements from senior Democratic leaders who have yet to publicly back him, as indicated in his discussions on "The View," according to ABC News.

As the election approaches, the stakes remain high, with Trump's threats potentially shaping voter sentiment in New York City. Cuomo must navigate these political waters carefully, as factors such as Mamdani's popularity and Trump's demonstrations of influence could significantly impact the outcome on election day, reflecting the complex interplay of local politics and national narratives, according to The Hill and South China Morning Post.