Newsman: − President Donald Trump preferred Andrew Cuomo to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. Trump also said, Mamdani a “Communist, not socialist,” “He’s far worse than a socialist.”
“I’m not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other,” Trump said. “But if it’s gonna be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I’m gonna pick the bad Democrat all the time to be honest with you.”
In a wide-ranging interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes” Norah O’Donnell asked President Trump what he thought of comparisons to Mamdani, 34, as a left-wing version of the 79-year-old Republican president. They are both seen as charismatic leaders breaking old rules.
“Well, I think I’m a much better looking person than him,” Trump responded. The Interview was aired Nov. 2nd.
Trump also cut off O’Donnell as she described Mamdani, a state assemblyman also from Queens, as a “democratic socialist” by arguing, wrongly, he was a “communist.”
“Communist, not socialist,” Trump said. “He’s far worse than a socialist.”
Trump said he preferred former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to Mamdani. Trump has already indicated he thought Cuomo, running as an independent, had a better shot against Mamdani, who has led in polls.
“I’m not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other,” Trump said. “But if it’s gonna be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I’m gonna pick the bad Democrat all the time to be honest with you.”
If Mamdani became mayor, Trump said it would be hard for him to give “a lot of money” to New York, saying Mamdani would waste the money with his politics.
Former Gov.Andrew Cuomo has said he wouldn’t accept Trump’s endorsement.
“I have not had a conversation, nor would I accept an endorsement from President Trump,” Cuomo told NBC News’ “Meet the Press NOW” in early October.
Mamdani quickly seized on Trump’s recent comments on “60 Minutes.”
“Congratulations, @AndrewCuomo,” Mamdani said in an X post. “I know how hard you worked for this.”
