Zohran Mamdani’s Rise Shakes Up NYC Politics — and Has Trump Fuming
So here’s the deal: Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist, just pulled off one of the biggest upsets in New York City politics by winning the Democratic mayoral primary. And naturally, that set off fireworks — especially from former President Donald Trump, who’s been calling Mamdani a “communist” and threatening a federal takeover of the city if Mamdani wins.
Trump didn’t hold back during a recent Cabinet meeting, trashing Mamdani as a “disaster” with “a good line of bullshit” who convinced voters to back him. He even threw around the idea that if Mamdani, who Trump insists is a “communist,” gets elected, the White House might have to step in to run NYC — just like he suggested for Washington, D.C. Crime would be down, Trump says, and everything would be “run flawlessly.” Mamdani’s camp fired back, accusing Trump of treating democracy “like a suggestion” and insulting the half a million New Yorkers who voted for change.
But Mamdani’s rise isn’t just about his clash with Trump. The night before the primary, he took a literal walk across Manhattan — 13 miles from Inwood Hill Park down to the Battery — shaking hands, grabbing selfies, and soaking in the city’s energy. A campaign video captured the “only in New York” vibe of his grassroots journey from relatively unknown assembly member to front-runner.
His win against Andrew Cuomo — the establishment’s heavily funded, old-guard candidate — sent a clear message: the city wants fresh leadership that fights for working people without apologies. Mamdani focused on the cost of living, rent freezes, free buses, and universal childcare. His authentic, relatable style — from explaining ranked-choice voting in Hindi and Urdu to calling out Cuomo as a “Bollywood villain” — helped him connect with a multiracial, younger voter base across neighborhoods like Ridgewood, Bushwick, and even the financial district.
Not everyone in the Democratic Party is thrilled. Some centrists worry Mamdani’s progressive policies and outspoken pro-Palestinian stance might scare off swing voters. Still, Mamdani racked up key endorsements (like from the United Federation of Teachers) and leads in polls with 35% support, ahead of Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Mayor Eric Adams.
Meanwhile, the general election remains a bit messy. Cuomo hasn’t fully ruled out an independent run, and Adams is also running as an independent. Both seem reluctant to step aside, aware that a crowded field could help Mamdani.
Mamdani’s campaign has energized an army of young volunteers and inspired a wave of new progressive candidates around the country. But his win has also rattled the Democratic establishment, some of whom seem stuck on old power plays. One strategist even said the party risks “walking itself to the brink of extinction” if it doesn’t evolve.
As for Trump? His campaign has already begun weaponizing Mamdani’s win, mixing Islamophobic and bigoted rhetoric with political attacks, trying to paint the new Democratic face as dangerous and out of touch.
At the end of the day, New York City is at a crossroads. Mamdani’s win signals a shift — one that challenges both the political status quo and the old narratives on both sides of the aisle. Whether the Democrats can embrace this new wave or resist it might just shape the city’s future — and maybe even the party’s — for years to come.