Trump Calls NYC Mayoral Candidate a “Little Communist”
President Donald Trump has given Zoran Mamdani, a prominent contender in the New York City mayoral race, a new nickname: “my little communist.” This remark came during a longer interview on Fox News’ Fox and Friends program.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and National Assemblyman from Queens, made waves in June when he unexpectedly secured the Democratic nomination for NYC mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates.
His campaign proposals include eliminating bus fares throughout the city, freezing rents to create “tuition-free” city housing for CUNY students, offering free childcare for kids up to five years old, and setting up a government-operated grocery store.
After Mamdani’s significant win, Trump labeled him a “100% communist madman.” The president has consistently warned that if Mamdani triumphs in the upcoming November election, New York City would become a “communist city.”
“We shouldn’t have to discuss communists,” Trump stated in his interview.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, could be the first Muslim and, if elected, the first millennial mayor of NYC. He has denied being a communist.
With less than two months until the election, Mamdani appears to lead his Democratic rivals in a city overwhelmingly controlled by Democrats. According to two recent polls, he holds a 22-point lead over the other candidates, as reported by Quinnipiac University and the New York Times/Siena College.
On the Republican side, Curtis Sliwa, co-founder of Guardian Angels, is also running, but he is positioned a distant third in the polls. Independent Mayor Eric Adams is still in the mix after choosing not to run in the Democratic primary.
Both Sliwa and Adams have expressed intentions to stay in the race despite reports suggesting that Trump’s advisors have hinted at roles for them if they drop out.
Trump, who now resides in Florida, is hoping the candidate field narrows down to enhance their chances of winning.
“I hope they’ll drop out and come together; I think it’s a race we can win,” Trump remarked recently.
He added that it seems like Cuomo is gaining an edge over the other candidates, though he expressed uncertainty about the overall effectiveness of the current candidates.
Trump noted, “I don’t examine the votes closely, but I sense there’s a rebellion against a bad candidate.” He didn’t shy away from criticizing Sliwa, stating that while he’s a Republican, Sliwa isn’t exactly a strong candidate.
Sliwa, in a recent online interview, mentioned his long, complex relationship with Trump, noting it as a “love-hate relationship.” Meanwhile, a Quinnipiac poll suggests that if Adams were to exit the race, Mamdani would lead Cuomo, 46%-30%, but the New York Times/Siena College survey shows a tighter race, with Mamdani edging out Cuomo, 48%-44%, illustrating the competitive nature of this mayoral battle.
