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Progressive activist David Hogg roasted conservative pundit Scott Jennings during a heated debate on CNN about the New York City mayoral election. Hogg, the president of Leaders We Deserve, explained on Monday’s “CNN NewsNight” that his organization donated $300,000 to Democrat Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. He praised Mamdani for connecting with New York City voters about issues that matter most to them, like affordability. “One of the things that Zohran did in this race is he went to voters and asked them, what do you want to see in your mayor, and listened, and had a clear message around affordability,” Hogg said. “And whether it’s the governor’s race in Virginia, the governor’s race in New Jersey, or the mayoral race in New York, or other races around the country, there’s a clear through line, even if some of them are more moderate or more to the left of talking about affordability. And not just saying, ‘oh, we need to lower prices,’ but saying what they’re actually going to do on it,” Hogg continued. Moments later, Jennings bashed Mamdani as a “socialist,” echoing the insults that were hurled by President Donald Trump on social media. Trump endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, on Monday night. “He’s probably going to win. I mean, it’s a Democrat town and they’re going to elect a socialist to run the financial capital of the world,” Jennings said on CNN. He then commented on Hogg’s donation to Mamdani’s campaign. “You gave him 300 grand, that’s interesting. That’s probably the only 300 non-Islamo-Marxist grand that he got,” Jennings quipped. Hogg then roasted Jennings over his Rolex watch. “And honestly I think part of the reason he’s so powerful is because people are tired of being lectured by men with Rolexes on CNN about affordability in this country. That’s the real reason he is resonating right now because he has a clear message that actually says this is what I plan to do,” Hogg said. “I don’t think this is about going to the left of the right to be honest with you.” “Do I agree with Zohran much more than a lot of other Democrats in our party? Certainly. But I think we need to meet voters where they’re at in their districts. In some districts that’s going to be more conservative,” Hogg added. Jennings responded: “But you want a socialist future for your party.” “I want a future where people—everybody has health care and people can afford a good life,” Hogg replied. The exchange came just hours before Tuesday’s election, where Mamdani has emerged as the frontrunner.
