US President Donald Trump has threatened to slash federal funds for New York City if favoured mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani does not ‘behave himself’ if elected to power.
“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,” Trump told Fox News.
“They’re not getting any money. He’s got to do the right thing,” he said.
Surprising the US political world, Mamdani — a person of Indian-origin and the son of famed movie director Mira Nair — defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and 11 other candidates fielded for New York City’s Democratic Party mayoral primary and is now inching towards becoming the first Muslim Mayor of New York.
The 33-year-old politician captured 43.5 percent votes in the first round unofficial primary results.
Cuomo bagged 36.4 percent votes.
“I think it’s very bad for New York. I don’t know that he’s going to get in, it is inconceivable that he is,” Trump told Fox News, targeting the young politician.
“It’s shocking… 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,” he said.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Uganda’s Kampala, Uganda. His father is Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-born Ugandan Marxist scholar, and his mother is Mira Nair, an Indian-American filmmaker.
At the age of five, Mamdani’s family moved to Cape Town in South Africa. The family relocated to New York City when he was seven.
He attended the Bank Street School for Children and later graduated from Bronx High School of Science. Mamdani studied at Bowdoin College and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies.
Mamdani began his political journey as a foreclosure prevention counsellor, later volunteering for local campaigns. He joined the Democratic Socialists of America in 2017.
He won the 2020 Democratic primaries and took office in 2021 as New York State Assembly member for Queens’ 36th District.
He was re-elected unopposed in 2022 and 2024. A leading member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he serves on key committees and has sponsored 20 bills, three of which have become law.
Mamdani, inspired by Bernie Sanders, is in favour of free city bus rides, rent freezes, city-owned groceries, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030.
He led efforts for fare-free buses and congestion pricing. On Israel-Palestine, he backs BDS, opposes illegal settlements, and calls for Gaza ceasefires, while rejecting antisemitism and supporting Israel’s right to exist.
He also champions anti-discrimination laws and protests funding cuts to gender-affirming care.
