Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has challenged President Donald Trump to a debate following further reports that the president has made contact with Mamdani's biggest rivals in the coming election to work with them and defeat him.

"Enough with the backroom scheming. If [Donald Trump] is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly," Mamdani wrote on X.

Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Thursday evening for comment.

Why It Matters

Mamdani, a New York state assemblyman, made shock waves when he upset former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Even months after his victory, Mamdani has yet to receive an endorsement from either House Minority Lea

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