Politics

Trump makes a stronger case for Cuomo after tepid ‘60 Minutes’ endorsement

Published

8 months ago

November 4, 2025

President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City in a last-ditch effort to drive the city’s voters to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and prevent Zohran Mamdani from winning Tuesday’s election.

Trump wrote in a social media post “it is highly unlikely” he will allow the city to receive federal funding beyond “the very minimum as required” if voters elect Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, while advocating for Cuomo, who is running as an independent.

The statement marked a more forceful endorsement of Cuomo by Trump, who said in a “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday he would like to see Cuomo defeat Mamdani.

“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!,” Trump wrote.

Trump also urged people not to vote for Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate in the race, arguing that it amounted to supporting Mamdani.

Trump, who praised Cuomo’s “record of success,” offered his most unequivocal backing for the former governor in the race’s final hours. His complimentary posture toward Cuomo marks a shift from the “60 Minutes” interview, in which he framed the race as a choice “between a bad Democrat and a Communist,” adding that he would pick “the bad Democrat all the time.”

Cuomo sought to distance himself from Trump’s backhanded commendation while campaigning on Monday, repeatedly insisting to reporters that Trump did not endorse him. Mamdani’s campaign seized on the “60 Minutes” interview, painting his comments as a full-throated endorsement.

“Congratulations, @AndrewCuomo. I know how hard you worked for this,” Mamdani wrote in a tongue-in-cheek social media post.

Cuomo has sought to position his campaign to win the support of Trump supporters in New York City. He privately told donors in August he’s counting on Trump to tell voters to support him over Sliwa as part of their shared goal of defeating Mamdani. The New York Times reported in August that Trump and Cuomo discussed the mayoral race in a phone call.

It’s not immediately clear the extent to which Trump could hamstring New York City’s funding if he does withhold federal dollars. But over $100 billion in federal funding flows through New York City via state and city allocations as well as disbursements to health care providers and other public entities.

Politics

European officials accuse FIFA chief of reopening door to Russia

Published

2 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

BRUSSELS — Forty-four members of the European Parliament are urging FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reverse his decision to allow Russian athletes to play at this year’s inaugural U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

They argue that Russia should not be readmitted to FIFA competitions until it enters peace negotiations with Ukraine, ceases fire and agrees to return children kidnapped from Ukrainian territories.

In a letter obtained by POLITICO, the lawmakers criticize global football body FIFA for ignoring what they described as “around 20,000 Ukrainian children … forcibly kidnapped and separated from their families by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s regime.”

“We urge FIFA to stand on the side of peace and not appease the aggressor – Russia,” the letter reads.

After Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, FIFA banned Russia from participating in all of its football competitions. FIFA lifted the blanket ban for youth competitions in 2023, but Russian teams have not played in its U-17 World Cups since.

FIFA announced last week its first U-15 World Cup, in which boys and girls will compete this October in Azerbaijan. At the time, the organization announced that the competition would be open to “all FIFA member associations,” opening the door to Russia’s participation.

Infantino said in February that FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, saying that bans “create more hatred.”

The European lawmakers argue that allowing Russia to participate could lead other member countries to boycott the competition, a stance they call “very understandable.” They argue that this would “distort FIFA sporting events, where the principle that the best team wins will no longer prevail.” Ukraine’s football federation has previously said it would not participate in competitions with Russia.

In March of 2022, Russia appealed the FIFA ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The body dismissed Russia’s claim. Russia’s gradual return to other sports has triggered outrage in Ukraine and been denounced by the EU.