Zoran Mamdani, a Socialist Democratic candidate in New York City, is facing scrutiny for his stance on “abolishing private property.” This week, a video resurfaced where he discusses his views.
“If there was a system that could ensure everyone had a home — whether you call it abolition of private property or a statewide housing guarantee — that might be better than the current situation,” Mamdani expressed in the video shared by the RNC.
“People like to play gotcha with statements like these. But we should really focus on whether people have homes,” he added.
The RNC’s repost of this older clip, originally shared by the “End Wokeness” group, suggests that Republican officials are considering using Mamdani’s remarks to link him to broader Democratic criticisms in the upcoming mid-term elections, especially if they gain ground in local leadership.
Proposing to limit property rights is a contentious issue, often bordering on illegal if it involves compensation debates.
Former President Trump labeled Mamdani a “communist,” while Mamdani identifies more closely with democratic socialism.
“Mamdani could be a real gift to the Republicans,” commented Ed Cox, the chair of the New York Republican Committee. He added, “If he becomes mayor, it could devastate New York.”
New York’s House Republicans convened on Thursday.
This is the latest on NYC mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani
“Both the production of private property and ‘grabbing the means of production’ are intertwined with the rhetoric of communism, as seen with figures like Karl Marx and Zoran Mamdani,” remarked Republican Senator Nicole Malliotakis, whose family fled from communist Cuba.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from Lower Hudson Valley, shared a video of Mamdani, commenting, “Marxism. Communism. Socialism. Call it what you want.”
Mamdani’s campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
His housing proposal aims to create 200,000 new affordable units over ten years.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old from Queens, surprised many by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in last month’s Democratic primary.
Currently, he appears favored to win against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, both of whom are running on independent lines.
In recent meetings, Mamdani has tried to address the concerns of city business leaders regarding his plan to raise taxes on billionaires and businesses by $9 billion.
He has also attempted to downplay some of the controversial videos that showcase his Marxist views.
As of now, prominent Democratic leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have yet to publicly announce their support for him. Mamdani is set to meet with House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday.
