New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo leaves a campaign stop in New York City on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
"Because if you have a communist running New York, all you're doing is wasting the money you're sending there," Trump added.
On the heels of Trump's comments, Cuomo said Monday that he "can stand up to Trump," and the city needs a mayor "who can get the funding that New York deserves, who can make sure the National Guard does not come to New York, because we don't need the National Guard."
CUOMO PICKS UP ENDORSEMENTS, RISES IN POLLS AS COMEBACK CAMPAIGN NEARS FINISH LINE
Cuomo said voters are telling him they "want a mayor who can actually make change and get something done, a mayor with experience and ability."
"They don't need a mayor whose first job is mayor of the City of New York," he said, reiterating his claim that Mamdani, who is a second-term assemblyman, doesn't have the experience necessary to lead the nation's largest city.
"I did it once, I'll do it again," Cuomo said Monday, referencing his tenure as governor during Trump's first term in the White House. Cuomo resigned in 2021 amid multiple scandals, including several sexual harassment allegations, which he denies.
Meanwhile, Mamdani began his election eve with a sunrise march across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, where he accused Cuomo of securing an endorsement from Trump, during the same "60 Minutes" interview.
New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo cheers along with supporters while campaigning in New York on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (Seth Wenig/AP Photos)
"First of all, I happen to be a good Democrat and a proud Democrat, and I'm going to stay a proud Democrat," Cuomo said. "Mamdani is not a communist. He's a socialist, but we don't need a socialist."
The president has criticized Mamdani's mayoral campaign since the self-described democratic socialist defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June. Trump refers to Mamdani as a "100% Communist Lunatic" or "my little communist" — monikers Mamdani rejects.
Cuomo has run his Independent campaign in the general election as a referendum on socialism.
"Socialism didn't work in Venezuela, and socialism didn't work in Cuba," Cuomo said Monday. "Socialism is not going to work in New York City."
Cuomo said it would be "devastating" if Trump cut federal funding for New York City if Mamdani wins on Tuesday.
"Mamdani cannot handle Trump," he said. "That's clear, and the next mayor has to be able to handle Donald Trump."
On the last day before Election Day in New York City, Cuomo is meeting voters across the city, with stops planned across the Five Boroughs, while Mamdani is hosting a canvass launch in Astoria, Queens, on Monday night.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Mamdani's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News' Sandy Ibrahim contributed to this report.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
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