Copyright Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani has pulled off a stunning political upset, defeating former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become the next mayor of New York City. The 34‑year‑old democratic socialist secured 50.4% of the vote, backed by more than 1 million New Yorkers. “Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics,” Mamdani told a roaring crowd of supporters Tuesday evening. “We have toppled a political dynasty. I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I speak his name,” he added, drawing thunderous cheers. Not everyone was celebrating. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Cuomo in the race, made his position clear. “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The post followed a string of attacks the president has leveled against Mamdani in recent weeks. Mamdani wasted no time firing back. In a pointed jab during his victory speech, he addressed Trump directly: “Since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up!” However, on Wednesday the president walked back previous threats of funding cuts to New York City. Speaking in Miami, Trump said about Mamdani, "We'll help him. We want New York to be successful. We'll help him. A little bit, maybe." The back‑and‑forth has raised a larger question: What will the relationship look like between the two political mavericks during Mamdani's time as mayor? We’re unpacking everything the president has said about the new mayor, and what Mamdani’s tenure could look like. What Trump Has Said About Mamdani President Donald Trump’s comments about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have ranged from mocking quips to sharp attacks. At times, Trump has joked about Mamdani, once saying he was “much better looking” than the new mayor. More often, though, his remarks have been pointed. Trump has repeatedly referred to the democratic socialist as a communist. After Mamdani’s Democratic primary victory, the president posted on Truth Social calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic,” adding: “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous.” Democratic socialism generally refers to a political approach that supports expanding social ownership and reducing economic inequality through policies enacted within a democratic system, while maintaining civil liberties and electoral institutions. Communism, in its traditional definition, describes a system in which private property is abolished and the means of production are collectively owned, with the goal of creating a classless society. Trump has also accused Mamdani of antisemitism, writing on Truth Social: “Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self-professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!” Mamdani, who has been critical of Israeli government policies, has denied the charge, saying there is “no room for it in this city, in this country, in this world.” The president has questioned Mamdani’s immigration status, saying, “A lot of people are saying he’s here illegally. We’re going to look at everything.” Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 and immigrated to the United States as a child. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. Trump has also threatened to deploy federal officers to New York City, as he has in other parts of the country, claiming he could “clean up the crime in about 30 days.” He has floated withholding federal funds, saying he “wouldn’t be generous to a communist” and would not allow taxpayer money to be “squandered.” However, the president cannot legally cancel or reallocate most federal funds already approved by Congress. New York City’s proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget relies on $7.4 billion in federal funding, accounting for roughly 6% of total spending. John Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at CUNY, previously told Newsweek that federal contributions to the city’s budget are relatively small and largely mandated by regulation, limiting Trump’s leverage. Asked about Trump’s threats on CNN, Mamdani responded: “The most effective way to push back on his threats is to actually name them for what they are, and then use every tool at your disposal to take them on.” Mamdani’s Platform Mamdani has outlined an ambitious agenda centered on affordability, housing, and social services. His campaign has proposed a rent freeze for all stabilized tenants and the construction of 200,000 new housing units over the next decade, a plan he says is designed to expand access to housing across New York City. Concerns about affordability resonate with voters. An Associated Press poll found that about 60% of New Yorkers cited the cost of living as the city’s biggest challenge, with seven in 10 calling housing costs a “major problem.” On transportation, Mamdani has pledged to eliminate fares on city buses. He also supports adding priority lanes, expanding bus queue jump signals, and creating loading zones to reduce delays caused by double parking. His platform extends beyond housing and transit. Mamdani has proposed a network of city‑owned grocery stores aimed at keeping prices low rather than generating profit. He has also called for free childcare for all New Yorkers with children from six weeks to 5 years old, along with higher wages for childcare workers. Mamdani has further vowed to strengthen New York’s sanctuary city policies. His proposals include removing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from city facilities, ending cooperation with the agency, expanding legal support for immigrants, and protecting personal data. On his campaign website, he referred to this as “Trump-Proofing NYC". New Era? Mamdani’s rise in popularity could signal a political shift, particularly among younger voters. That demographic has grown increasingly skeptical of capitalism and more open to socialist ideas. Recent polls show most college students view socialism more favorably than capitalism. A 2025 NBC News survey found support for capitalism had dropped below 50%, with the sharpest declines among Democrats and voters under 30. In a 2025 Axios/Generation Lab poll, 67% of U.S. college students said they had a positive or neutral view of socialism, compared with 40% for capitalism. Young voters were central to Mamdani’s victory. Early voting data showed 117,042 adults ages 18 to 29 cast ballots in the election, making up 16% of the vote share. Hours after Mamdani’s win, President Donald Trump issued a series of calls to action on Truth Social. “Pass Voter Reform, Voter ID, No Mail-In Ballots. Save our Supreme Court from ‘Packing,’ No Two State addition, etc. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!” he wrote Tuesday night. Mamdani will take office as New York City’s mayor on Jan. 1. His tenure could prove unprecedented, but it may face obstacles if the president continues to oppose him. Though Mamdani has signaled a fight through a collective opposition in his victory speech, saying: “So hear me, President Trump, when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” As of this writing, the president may have softened his stance on their differences. As Zohran Mamdani prepares to take office, the world will be watching to see if his relationship with President Trump becomes a battleground — or a balancing act between political mavericks with different visions for America's largest city.
