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New York City’s mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has drawn unexpected praise from billionaire Elon Musk, a former ally of Donald Trump, who called the assemblyman the “future” of the Democratic Party. “Zohran is the future of the Democratic Party,” Musk wrote on Monday in response to a video of New York Governor Kathy Hochul endorsing Mamdani during a rally in New York City. Zohran is the future of the Democratic Party https://t.co/qwkBimPBby — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 27, 2025 Mamdani, 33, has built his campaign around housing affordability, rent control, and higher taxes on wealthy earners. The video shared by Musk featured Hochul rallying supporters to back Mamdani in the upcoming mayoral race, in which he faces Republican Curtis Sliwa and Independent Andrew Cuomo. The Democratic nominee entered the race following incumbent Eric Adams’ decision not to seek re-election. “This is about this November’s election,” Hochul told the crowd in the Queens neighbourhood. “But take that energy, that passion, and take it into 2026 so that we can take back the House of Representatives, take the Senate, and take back our country. With your help, we will. Elect Zohran and we take back America,” she said while cheering for Mamdani. The October 26 rally brought together several progressive figures, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Hochul first endorsed Mamdani in September through an opinion piece in The New York Times, commending his emphasis on affordability despite their ideological differences. “I am confident that Mamdani has the courage, urgency, and optimism New York City needs,” she wrote. The mayoral race has intensified after remarks by Mamdani drew criticism from US Vice President JD Vance. Speaking outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani reflected on the experiences of the Muslim community in New York after 9/11, recalling that his aunt stopped taking the subway after the 9/11 attacks because she “did not feel safe in her hijab.” He also revealed that he had been advised to downplay his faith upon entering politics. “These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught,” he said, highlighting systemic pressures and subtle discrimination over the years. In response to Mamdani’s remarks, Vance posted a snarky comment, suggesting that according to Mamdani, the “real victim” of 9/11 was his aunt, who merely received some allegedly critical looks.
