New York City voters deserve a mayor chosen by the people—not by billionaires, super PACs, or backroom deals with the president.

Recent reports suggest that Donald Trump is privately weighing how to influence the outcome of our city’s mayoral race. Despite no longer living here, he’s been meeting with wealthy donors, political insiders, and even Andrew Cuomo to discuss how to stop Zohran Mamdani—the Democratic nominee who won the primary with a bold, grassroots vision for New York. That’s not democracy. That’s manipulation.

Behind-the-scenes power brokers like Mark Penn and Andrew Stein are already funneling support toward unelected candidates. Now Trump may join them, pushing to “consolidate” the race by pressuring other candidates to drop out—clearing a path for someone they can control. This isn’t about what's best for New Yorkers. It’s about protecting the wealth and interests of a political elite afraid of a mayor who won’t play by their rules.

Let’s be clear: voters should decide who leads our city. New York is facing real challenges: skyrocketing rents, crumbling infrastructure, and a growing affordability crisis. We need solutions rooted in community, not in Mar-a-Lago boardrooms or Wall Street lunch meetings.

This petition isn’t about who you support in the race. It’s about protecting the integrity of the democratic process. You should get to choose from a full slate of candidates, free from interference of outside political agendas.

Tell Donald Trump and his allies: stay out of New York City’s mayoral election. Let the people decide. Sign this petition to stand up for fair elections and against elite meddling in our city’s future.

Photo: Jonathan Ernst/ Reuters