(NewsNation) — The New York City mayoral race is heating up as President Trump pushes for a whittling down of candidates.
At the center of it all is presumptive favorite Zohran Mamdani, who is facing growing pressure from both Democratic and Republican contenders. On Thursday, President Trump told reporters he doesn’t think Mamdani can be beaten unless the race narrows with some candidates dropping out soon. This comes amid allegations that Trump is trying to influence the race by brokering backroom deals with candidates.
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Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection, has denied reports that his recent trip to Florida was for a job interview or that he was offered a position in Washington, D.C., with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mayor Adams offered a statement to NewsNation, saying, “While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for reelection, and my full focus is on the safety and quality of life of every New Yorker.”
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Mamdani has blasted reports of dealmaking and speculation that Trump is trying to clear a path for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, calling any deals with Trump an “affront to democracy.”
During an interview with CBS News this week, Mamdani challenged the president to a televised debate in New York City.
“Let’s cut out the middleman. Why should I debate Donald Trump’s puppet when I can debate Donald Trump himself?” Mamdani said.
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Meanwhile, Cuomo has challenged Mamdani to five 1-on-1 debates, one in each of the city’s boroughs. Posting on social media, Cuomo said, “Show up. Tell New Yorkers who you are and what you really believe, once and for all.”
As for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who is also mentioned in reports, he has made it clear he won’t be bowing out.
