Trump warns ‘I’d rather have a Democrat than a communist’ as NYC mayoral race enters homestretch

Trump said New York City may elect a “communist" mayor, adding he’d prefer a Democrat but said he’d speak to Mamdani if elected and warned the city is in decline.

Independent NYC mayoral candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, speaks during a debate with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, center, and Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, Oct. 16, in New York City. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)

"If he [Sliwa] dropped out, he's not going to win. And not looking too good for Cuomo either," Trump said. "Maybe if he dropped out, Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance. But not much. Because it looks like the lead is—it’s not a great lead, but it’s big enough that he should be able to win."

Pressed on whether he’d be willing to meet with Mamdani if elected, Trump said he would.

"Yeah, I’ll speak to him," the president said. "I think I have an obligation to speak to him."

FOX NEWS POLL: MAMDANI MAINTAINS SIGNIFICANT LEAD IN NYC MAYORAL RACE

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa speaks during the NYC mayoral debate, Oct. 16. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)

Mamdani, a state assemblyman and longtime Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member, has embraced calls to legalize prostitution and tax the wealthy. 

His campaign has drawn endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other national progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

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The city's mayoral election is Nov. 4.

The Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa campaigns did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-warns-rather-have-democrat-than-communist-nyc-mayoral-race-enters-homestretch