Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump, Mamdani front-and-center in Empire State battle

By Fox News · Fox News

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here's what's happening… -Obama once urged Black men to back Harris — then he, Democrats reversed race rhetoric legacy in 2025 -Duffy says air travel may take ‘days if not a week’ to return to normal, even after shutdown ends -Justice Barrett urges students to 'take the high road like Erika Kirk' amid campus hostility President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani are not on the ballot next year, but they are smack in the political spotlight in New York State's 2026 race for governor. Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, in her first interview after declaring her candidacy for governor on Friday, linked Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to Mamdani , the 34-year-old socialist state lawmaker who won election on Tuesday as New York City mayor. "Kathy Hochul endorsed him and bent the knee," Stefanik charged in an appearance on Fox News' "Fox & Friends," as she pointed to Mamdani, who she claimed is "a raging anti-Semite, pro-Hamas communist who wants to raise taxes."… READ MORE . BENEFITS BATTLE : DOJ accuses federal judge of making ‘mockery of separation of powers’ in SNAP appeal RESEARCH DOLLARS : Cornell University to pay $60M in deal with Trump administration to restore federal funding DEAL OR NO DEAL : Trump considers granting Hungary potential exemption on Russian oil just weeks after imposing sanctions COMMANDING RESPECT : Trump says Hungary's border stance keeps crime down, says Europe 'flooding' with migrants DRAGON SETS SAIL : China launches third aircraft carrier as Xi pushes military modernization against US influence STALEMATE SHIFT : Schumer, Dems unveil alternative shutdown plan, ask for one-year extension to Obamacare subsidies 'WHEELS CAME OFF' : Thune says 'wheels came off' as Republicans mull next shutdown move NO DEAL IN SIGHT : Sen Kennedy says shutdown could last 2 more weeks amid ongoing…