05.11.2025 15:52
Zohran Mamdani, who made history by winning the mayoral election in New York, targeted President Trump in a barrage of criticism following his electoral victory. Mamdani stated, "If there is a way to intimidate a despot, it is to eliminate the conditions that allow him to gain power. Trump, I know you’re watching me, so I’m telling you: Turn up the volume."
New York's Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has become New York's first Muslim mayor by receiving 50.6% of the votes according to the AP's unofficial first results.
MAMDANI MADE HISTORY
After the voting process, which ended at 9:00 PM local time, 83% of the votes from the opened ballots were counted. According to the unofficial first results announced by the AP, Mamdani received 50.6% of the votes from the opened ballots, leading his closest rival, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, by nearly 9 points. The 34-year-old Mamdani has made history by becoming "the first Muslim mayor of New York City."
"WE HAVE OVERTHROWN A POLITICAL DYNASTY"
As New York's first Muslim mayor, Mamdani made a notable speech following his election victory. He stated that with this victory, "we have overthrown a political dynasty," and expressed, "New York, tonight you have given a mandate for change, you have given a mandate for a new kind of politics."
"WE WILL START AN ERA OF CHANGE"
Mamdani stated that New York will no longer be a city that wins elections by spreading anti-Muslim hate speech, and he said they will start an era of change. Mamdani remarked, "If there is a way to scare a despot, it is to eliminate the conditions that allow him to gain power. This is not only the way to stop (U.S. President Donald) Trump but also to stop the next one. So Donald Trump, I know you are watching me, so I say to you: turn up the volume."
"WE WILL END THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION THAT ALLOWS BILLIONAIRES LIKE TRUMP TO EVADE TAXES..."
Mamdani stated that they will put an end to "the culture of corruption that allows billionaires like Trump to evade taxes and benefit from tax cuts," adding, "New York will remain a city built by immigrants and, as of tonight, governed by immigrants. So, listen to me President Trump, to reach any of us, you will have to surpass all of us." Mamdani emphasized the need to create a bold new path like the one they have walked so far, stating, "I am a Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. I refuse to apologize for these."
TRUMP HAD THREATENED: COMMUNIST MENTAL CASE
U.S. President Donald Trump supported Mamdani's rival Cuomo in the elections and threatened to cut funding if Mamdani was elected. Trump had said about Mamdani, whom he called a "communist mental case," "If the communist candidate Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral election, my chances of providing federal funds beyond the minimum required amount are very low, because under a communist administration, the chances of success for this once-great city, even survival, are zero! The situation could get even worse under a communist administration."
WHO IS ZOHRAN MAMDANI?
Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991. He was born in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and moved with his family to South Africa at a young age, and then to the U.S. His family is of Indian descent: his mother is the famous director Mira Nair, and his father is academic Mahmood Mamdani.
EDUCATION AND CAREER
He studied Africana Studies at Bowdoin College and graduated in 2014. After graduation, he worked in areas such as social housing and housing rights: for example, combating housing discrimination and rent control.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
Since 2021, he has represented the 36th district (Queens – Astoria & Long Island City area) in the New York State Assembly.
He has run for the New York City mayoralty for 2025 and is gaining attention within the Democratic Party for his progressive (democratic socialist) stance.
POLITICAL VIEWS
He prioritizes housing policies such as rent control, limiting rent increases, and the construction of publicly owned social housing. He has also supported pilot programs like "free buses" in public transportation and has views that the minimum wage should be set much higher for those living in large cities.