In the wake of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York Democratic mayoral primary, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Fox News Sunday about the potential consequences of Mamdani’s policies if he were to become mayor.
Mamdani surged ahead in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, leading analysts to suggest his success could steer the party further left in upcoming elections. During an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo,” Trump made clear his strong opposition to Mamdani and said he would hold nothing back in ensuring that the city would face severe consequences for policies he deemed radical.
“He’s a communist. I think it’s very bad for New York. I don’t know that he’s going to get in his inconceivable that he’s but he’s a communist and he’s a pure communist,” Trump said. “But let’s say this, if he does get in, I’m going to be president and he’s going to have to do the right thing or they’re not getting any money. He’s got to do the right thing.”
Trump reacted in disbelief over Mamdani’s rise in New York City’s mayoral race and said that he once believed the country would never elect a socialist.
WATCH:
“It’s shocking that I would have assumed that. I used to say we will never have a socialist in this country. No, but we’ll have a communist. I mean, he’s a communist and going to be mayor of New York. So I was very surprised when I said I never heard of him, I don’t know who he is,” Trump said.
Host Maria Bartiromo then informed Trump that Mamdani stated he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he visited New York.
“Oh, he’s a radical left lunatic,” Trump replied.
Mamdani publicly stated that he would arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York City. In a December 2024 interview with Mehdi Hasan, Mamdani said that arresting Netanyahu would align the city’s actions with international law despite the U.S. not being a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mamdani also publicly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling the law enforcement organization a “rogue agency” following the arrest of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander by ICE agents.
“If this is what ICE is willing to do to a comptroller of the city of New York, imagine what they are willing to do to immigrants whose names you don’t even know,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani campaigned on a progressive platform, advocating for taxpayer-funded initiatives like free buses, childcare and city-run grocery stores. His proposals to limit police presence in New York City, along with his outspoken anti-Israel views, have sparked wide-spread criticism.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
