U.S. President Donald Trump has reacted strongly to the victory of Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary election. Trump called Mamdani a “100 per cent communist lunatic” and attacked other progressive leaders who supported him.
“It’s finally happened; the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist lunatic, has just won the Dem primary and is on his way to becoming mayor. We’ve had radical lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous,” Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social.
Trump also personally criticised Mamdani, who is a 33-year-old socialist and son of Indian-origin immigrants. “Looks TERRIBLE; his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, and Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is grovelling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the history of our country!” he said.
In another post, Trump appeared to joke by suggesting that the Democrats should nominate “Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President” and give Cabinet positions to “AOC+3” – his nickname for progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her allies.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is an Indian-origin Muslim politician and the son of famous filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan-born Indian Marxist scholar Mahmood Mamdani. He is currently a state assemblyman from Queens and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Mamdani won 43.5 per cent of the votes in the Democratic primary, with 90 per cent of the ballots counted. He defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded the election. If Mamdani wins the final mayoral race, he will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
His campaign focused on bold progressive ideas like freezing rent, free bus services, and universal childcare. In a city where housing is very expensive, with rent for a three-bedroom apartment reaching up to $6,000 a month, Mamdani’s promises have attracted attention, especially among working-class voters.
However, Mamdani’s outspoken support for Palestinian rights and his criticism of Israel, including calling its actions “genocide”, have made him a major target for Trump and other right-wing leaders.
He is backed by well-known progressives such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), both of whom Trump often attacks in his speeches and online posts.