President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on New York City's likely next mayor, calling Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani a "communist" and threatening economic retaliation if he wins office.
In a Fox News interview, Trump condemned Mamdani's progressive positions, declaring, "He would be very bad for New York. Let's say this, if he does get in, I'm going to be president, and he is going to have to do the right thing. Do what's right, or you won't receive any money."
The president escalated his rhetoric further, stating, "I used to say we will never have a socialist in this country. No, but we'll have a communist." In response to Mamdani's promise to oppose ICE, Trump called him a "radical leftist" and a "lunatic."
When asked whether he would support an alternative candidate in the general election, Trump declined to name a specific opponent but issued a stern warning, "Whoever's mayor of New York is going to have to behave themselves or the federal government is coming down very tough on them financially."
Trump's remarks follow Mamdani's controversial positions that have sparked national debate. The progressive candidate, who defeated Andrew Cuomo in last week's Democratic primary, refused to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada" during Sunday's NBC "Meet the Press" interview, despite widespread criticism of the slogan as antisemitic.
When pressed directly about denouncing the controversial call, Mamdani responded, "That's not language that I use. The language that I use, the language that I will continue to use to lead this city, is that which speaks clearly to my intent, which is an intent grounded in a belief in universal human rights. I don't believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech."
Despite calls from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to condemn the antisemitic slogan, Mamdani declined. Jewish Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler provided public support for the candidate, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer congratulated him but stopped short of a formal campaign endorsement.
Mamdani emphasized his commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers, stating, "Ultimately, what I think I need to show is the ability to not only talk about something but to tackle it and to make clear there is no room for antisemitism in the city. We have to root out that bigotry and, ultimately, we do that through the actions, and that is the mayor I will be, one that protects Jewish New Yorkers and lives up to that commitment through the work that I do." He announced plans to increase hate crime program budgets by 800%.
Additionally, Mamdani declared his opposition to the existence of billionaires, telling NBC, "I don't think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality." He expressed willingness to cooperate with wealthy individuals toward creating a more equitable city, but maintained his position that extreme wealth concentration should not exist.
Billionaire Bill Ackman, a former Trump supporter, pledged to finance a candidate opposing Mamdani in the general election, arguing the progressive's policies would bring economic destruction to the city.
