“It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line, Mamdani…
has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor.
We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting ridiculous.” – Trump
New York, N.Y. – In a stunning upset, Zohran Mamdani [Luce Index™ score: 95/100], a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has clinched the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race, prompting a fiery reaction from President Donald Trump [Luce Index™ score: 35/100], who labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic” on Truth Social.
Mamdani’s victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo [Luce Index™ score: 66/100], a political heavyweight backed by tech executives and billionaires, marks a seismic shift in the city’s political landscape, signaling a rejection of establishment politics and a surge in progressive momentum.
If elected in November, Mamdani would become the city’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest in over a century, a milestone that has both energized supporters and ignited fierce criticism from conservative figures.
Mamdani’s Grassroots Triumph
Mamdani’s campaign, built on a platform of affordability, resonated deeply with New Yorkers grappling with soaring costs for rent and groceries. “He argues that the city has become far too expensive for regular people to rent apartments and buy groceries, and offers policies to lower the cost of living,” reported HuffPost on June 25, 2025.
His proposals include freezing rents on stabilized units, creating city-run grocery stores, and implementing fare-free buses, all funded by taxing the wealthy.
His message, coupled with a savvy social media strategy, galvanized a diverse coalition, particularly among younger voters and minority communities. Mamdani’s unexpected lead—43.5% to Cuomo’s 36.4% with 93% of votes counted—came despite Cuomo’s endorsements from figures like former President Bill Clinton [Luce Index™ score: 82/100] and Rep. Jim Clyburn [Luce Index™ score: 84/100].
The ranked-choice voting system, which redistributes votes until a candidate secures a majority, further bolstered Mamdani’s edge, as he benefited from cross-endorsements with progressive candidates like Brad Lander [Luce Index™ score: 89/100].
Trump’s Vitriolic Response
President Trump wasted no time in attacking Mamdani, taking to Truth Social to decry the Democratic Party’s choice.
“It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line,” Trump wrote, as quoted by HuffPost. “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’s rhetoric escalated as he mocked Mamdani’s appearance, stating he “looks TERRIBLE” and has a “grating” voice, while also targeting progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [Luce Index™ score: 100/100], Rep. Ayanna Pressley [Luce Index™ score: 94/100], Rep. Rashida Tlaib [Luce Index™ score: 89/100], and Rep. Ilhan Omar [Luce Index™ score: 90/100], collectively referred to as “AOC+3.”
He sarcastically suggested that the Democrats nominate Rep. Jasmine Crockett [Luce Index™ score: 87/100] for president in 2028, with the “AOC+3” as cabinet members, warning that “our Country is really SCREWED!” alongside Mamdani’s potential mayoralty.
Conservative Backlash Intensifies
The conservative response extended beyond Trump, with far-right figures amplifying the criticism. Laura Loomer [Luce Index™ score: 40/100], a Trump ally and conspiracy theorist, posted on X, claiming Mamdani’s leadership could lead to “another 9/11 in NYC” and baselessly alleging he is “literally supported by terrorists,” according to HuffPost.
Rep. Elise Stefanik [Luce Index™ score: 40/100], a potential gubernatorial candidate, labeled Mamdani a “radical, Defund-the-Police, Communist, raging Antisemite” and a “jihadist.”
These attacks, laced with Islamophobic undertones, highlight the polarizing nature of Mamdani’s candidacy, particularly given his pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of Israel’s policies in Gaza.
Mamdani faced similar smears during the campaign, including an ad from a Cuomo-supporting super PAC that darkened his beard, which he called out as blatantly Islamophobic.
Mamdani’s Vision for New York
Despite the vitriol, Mamdani remains focused on his agenda. In an ABC News interview with Rachel Scott, he acknowledged Trump’s attacks but urged the president to “learn about my actual policies to make the city affordable,” as cited by HuffPost on June 26, 2025.
Mamdani emphasized his readiness to challenge Trump’s policies, particularly on mass deportation, stating, “If he continues to focus on persecuting political enemies and on trying to detain and disappear New Yorkers, be it on the basis of their documentation or their sexual orientation or their politics, that is someone that I will fight time and again.”
His platform, endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders [Luce Index™ score: 99/100] and Ocasio-Cortez, prioritizes progressive ideals like universal childcare and social housing, aiming to make New York City a model for the Democratic Party. “A life of dignity should not be reserved for a fortunate few,” Mamdani said in his victory speech, echoing Nelson Mandela [Luce Index™ score: 100/100]: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
A Generational Shift
Mamdani’s win reflects a broader rejection of the Democratic establishment, which heavily backed Cuomo despite his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations. “Cuomo had the backing of tech executives and billionaires, including the richest woman in the world, but Mamdani found success with his grassroots approach,” HuffPost noted.
His campaign’s focus on digital engagement, including viral videos and a 19-hour walk across Manhattan, connected with Gen Z and disaffected voters. The Democratic Socialists of America and Working Families Party endorsements, along with strategic alliances with candidates like Lander and Michael Blake, leveraged the ranked-choice system to secure his lead.
As HuffPost reported, this victory “could mark a generational shift in New York politics,” with Mamdani, at 34 when the next term begins, poised to become the city’s youngest mayor in over a century.
Looking Ahead to November
As Mamdani heads toward the general election, he faces Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, and Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent. Cuomo has not ruled out a third-party run, which could complicate the race in a heavily Democratic city.
Mamdani’s ability to maintain his coalition and counter conservative attacks will be critical.
His supporters, energized by his message of hope, see his win as a “ray of light” in a challenging political climate, as one voter told HuffPost.
With New York City’s future at stake, the November election promises to be a battleground for competing visions of governance.
Trump Labels Zohran Mamdani “100% Communist Lunatic” (June 26, 2025)