Trump‘s Shadow Looms as Mamdani and Sanders Rally New Yorkers, Highlighting Deep Democratic Divisions
New York, NY – Former President Donald Trump’s continued influence in New York politics was on full display this weekend as progressive candidates Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders rallied supporters, revealing a fractured Democratic landscape and raising concerns about potential federal intervention in local affairs. The event underscored a campaign where allies of Trump reportedly attempted to manipulate the race by encouraging opponents of Mamdani – Republican Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams – to withdraw, perhaps clearing a path for a different candidate.
The rally, part of Sanders’ 35th ”Fighting Oligarchy” tour which has reached over 300,000 people, saw the Vermont Senator sharply criticize Trump’s involvement and the efforts of wealthy donors to defeat Mamdani. “You’ve got people like Bill Ackman and others saying openly, front page to the newspapers, we will spend as much as it takes to defeat this guy. You have the president of the United States working to make it harder for him to get elected. So what are these people,these oligarchs,afraid of?” Sanders questioned,framing Mamdani’s candidacy as a challenge to the established power structure. He specifically highlighted Mamdani’s platform of rent stabilization as a “radical idea” that threatens those interests.
Trump himself weighed in on the dynamics of the race, stating Friday, “I would say that Cuomo might have a chance of winning if it was a one-on-one. If it’s not one-on-one,it’s going to be a hard race.”
Mamdani,who secured the Democratic nomination in June with endorsements from Sanders and Rep.alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also addressed the potential for federal intervention, referencing Trump’s threats to deploy federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Democratic cities like New York. He condemned the governance’s “deportation agenda” and criticized Mayor Adams for not doing enough to protect residents targeted by immigration authorities. “It is indeed wrong,” Mamdani stated, “and we should understand that the greatest responsibility is with this administration here seeking to tear families apart across this country.” He further urged the city to “prepare for the inevitability” of a National Guard deployment, acknowledging the possibility of illegal actions by the former president.
Sanders also expressed frustration with the lack of support for mamdani from key New York Democratic leaders,specifically calling out House minority Leader hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I find it hard to understand how the major Democratic leaders in New York state are not supporting the Democratic candidate,” he said, noting Mamdani’s grassroots success, having started the campaign at 2% in the polls and mobilizing 50,000 volunteers.
