Following 33-year-old Indian origin New York State Assemblyman and self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani’s win in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, former U.S. President Donald Trump launched a harsh personal assault.
In a social media post, Trump referred to Mamdani as a “100 per cent Communist lunatic,” noting that “Democrats have crossed the line” by supporting candidates from the extreme left. Trump called Mamdani’s win “ridiculous,” pointing to his appearance, voice, and intelligence. “He seems bad, his voice is grating, he’s not really brilliant,” Trump wrote.
Other progressive Democrats who back Mamdani also came under assault from Trump, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Referring to them as “Dummies”, Trump charged Schumer with “groveling” over Mamdani. “Yes, this is a major turning point for our nation,” he ended dryly.
Further mocking the left wing of the party, Trump jokingly said in another post that Democrats ought to choose Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for president and give Cabinet posts to Ocasio Cortez and her progressive colleagues.
Mamdani, whose ancestry is Indian and Ugandan, is the son of renowned director Mira Nair and Marxist professor Mahmood Mamdani. Supported by the Democratic Socialists of America, he is now an Assembly member for Queens.
Mamdani would be New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected in the general election. With 90% of the votes counted, he received 43.5%, which caused former Governor Andrew Cuomo to give way.
Mamdani has been praised for his audacious policy agenda, which includes rent freezes, free bus service, and universal childcare—policies that have found a chord in a city fighting against unaffordable housing. He is also famous for his frank position on Palestinian rights, and he has charged Israel of genocide—views that have made him a lightning rod for conservative attacks.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ocasio Cortez are among prominent American left supporters of Mamdani’s campaign. Though his ascent indicates an increasing impact of democratic socialism in metropolitan politics, it has also drawn more criticism from established Democrats and traditional conservatives.
