Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani stunned New York City on Tuesday night by winning the city’s Democratic mayoral primary, but the 33-year-old progressive’s victory quickly drew fierce backlash from US President Donald Trump.
Mamdani secured 43.5 per cent of the vote with 90 per cent of ballots counted, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a race that signalled a rising tide of left-wing politics in the city. However, Trump, in a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, lashed out at Mamdani, launching personal attacks and branding him a “100% Communist Lunatic.”
Trump launches personal attack
“Zohran Mamdani, a 100 per cent Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” Trump wrote. “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart,” he added.
Trump also targeted Mamdani’s allies in progressive politics, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“He’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!” Trump said.
Mockery of Democrats continues
The president continued his tirade with further attacks on Democratic figures, suggesting a mock presidential ticket. “I have an idea for the Democrats to bring them back into ‘play.’ After years of being left out in the cold, including suffering one of the Greatest Losses in History, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democrats should nominate Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President, and AOC+3 should be, respectively, Vice President, and three High Level Members of the Cabinet – Added together with our future Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and our Country is really SCREWED!” he posted.
A platform of bold reforms
Mamdani, who has represented Astoria, Queens, in the New York State Assembly since 2021, ran on an ambitious progressive platform. His campaign proposals include launching city-run grocery stores, implementing a freeze on rent increases for rent-stabilised apartments, and offering free city bus service — all to be funded through a proposed $10 billion tax increase targeting corporations and wealthy individuals.
On foreign policy, Mamdani has been vocal in his pro-Palestinian stance, drawing criticism from pro-Israel groups. He has openly supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and stated that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits New York, he would call for his arrest, citing the International Criminal Court’s 2024 arrest warrants.
Despite the criticism, Mamdani’s supporters see his win as a breakthrough moment for progressive politics in the city. They describe him as an unapologetic advocate for bold reforms and a much-needed voice in the political landscape of New York.
