Zohran Mamdani sends direct message to Donald Trump on Fox News
Zohran Mamdani, 33, who is leading in the polls to become the next Mayor of New York City, made the comments during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday
New York State Representative Zohran Mamdani addressed Donald Trump directly on Wednesday, October 15, while appearing on Fox News. The comments come after Trump issued a clear threat to Mamdani that the White House would withhold funds from New York City should he win.
Looking straight into the camera, the 33-year-old Mamdani declared: "I just want to speak directly to the president, which is that I will not be a mayor like Mayor Adams who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail."
His sharp remarks continued as he added: "I won't be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo who will call you and ask how to win this election. I can do those things on my own."
"I will, however, be a mayor who's ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That's the way I am going to lead this city, that's the partnership I want to build - not only with Washington D.C. but with anyone across this country.
"I think it's important because too often the focus on the needs of working class Americans and working class New Yorkers are put to the side as we talk more and more about the very kind of corrupt politicians like Andrew Cuomo that delivered us into this kind of crisis."
When questioned about his qualifications to serve as Mayor of New York City, Mamdani wasted no time responding. "I've been a state assembly member here in New York City, I've represented 130,000 people in Queens and in that time, I've not only delivered more than a $100 million in increased bus and subway services, I've also secured half a billion dollars in debt relief," he said.
In his first appearance on Fox News, aired on The Story with Martha MacCallum, Mamdani discussed the upcoming mayoral race, which is less than three weeks away from Election Day.
Mamdani, a state lawmaker from Queens who identifies as a democratic socialist, is currently leading in the polls over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
He won the Democratic primary over Cuomo and current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race.
However, Cuomo is now running as an independent. Mamdani, who will turn 34 this week, is vying to become one of the youngest mayors in the city's history.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted in early October, Mamdani has 46% support among likely voters.
Cuomo has 33% support, while Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has 15%.
Mamdani's rise from an unknown assemblyman to the frontrunner of the latest mayoral election has surprised many.
However, he has faced criticism for several of his far-left policy ideas, including city-run grocery stores, rent freezes, and free buses.
His past anti-police rhetoric and controversial comments about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have also made headlines.