Andrew Cuomo called reporting that he talked over the phone to President Trump about his mayoral bid “false” and dismissed it as “gossip” at a press conference Thursday.
Cuomo, who’s running as an independent in November’s mayoral election, also said at the Midtown press conference he would not “seek” or “accept” Trump’s endorsement.
“I’ve never spoken to him about the mayor’s race,” Cuomo said, adding he “could not remember” the last time he spoke to Trump but that he had called and left a voicemail for the president after the assassination attempt against him last year.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Trump spoke recently to Cuomo and a pollster who worked for a pro-Cuomo super PAC as the president considers getting involved in the mayoral race to try to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who’s polling as the favorite to win November’s election.
“We’re confident in the accuracy of our reporting,” said Danielle Rhoades, a spokesperson for The Times.
The ex-governor said that, as mayor, he’d be open to working with the president when their interests aligned.
“I will defend New York against any policy that I think hurts New York, New York State or New York City, but I will put my hand out to work in any way that he could be helpful to New York State or New York City,” he said, naming healthcare and sanctuary city status as two areas he’d confront Trump on.
Earler Thursday, Mamdani blasted the former governor for “conspiring with President Trump about the fate of this city” in response to the reporting. He said at a Thursday morning press conference that the phone call “builds on a history that we have seen with this former governor.”
“We know that Andrew Cuomo will sell working people out for his interests, for the interests of the billionaires that supported him, for the interests of Donald Trump, because all of those interests are lining up as one and the same,” Mamdani said at the press conference, where he appeared with labor leaders.
There was overlap between Cuomo’s donor base in the primary with Trump supporters, including billionaire Bill Ackman.
From the Oval Office, Trump denied speaking to Cuomo. The president has previously claimed Mamdani is a “communist” — he actually identifies as a democratic socialist — and said his election would be a disaster for the city.
Mamdani said that while he himself hasn’t spoken to Trump, he’d be willing to, but that he would repeat to the president that his leadership has betrayed Americans and failed to deliver on the cost of living promises that got him to office.
Former governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is pictured during a press conference on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Trump is an unpopular figure in the city, and it’s unlikely his endorsement or promotion of a candidate would help their candidacy. Mayor Adams faced widespread backlash and dropping approval ratings as he courted Trump for months. The mayor has also been accused of entering into a corrupt deal with Trump to get his federal corruption indictment dropped.
“New Yorkers do not want a mayor who is working in tandem with the president to subvert the will of the people of this city,” Mamdani said Thursday.
Asked at an unrelated press conference in Brooklyn about The Times’ report, Adams said he hasn’t spoken to the president about his campaign.
“My conversations with the president is about bringing resources to the city,” he said, later adding he couldn’t recall the last time he spoke with Trump, either.
The mayor added he believes Trump “loves New York” and, without mentioning Mamdani by name, suggested the president’s potential involvement is about stopping the Democratic nominee.
“I think everyone sees, you know, the threats we’re facing,” Adams said.
Originally Published: August 7, 2025 at 10:51 AM EDT