'Communist lunatic': Donald Trump blasts Zohran Mamdani who won Democratic primary in New York's Mayoral race

Mamdani, known for his anti-Israel stand, on Tuesday dealt a heavy blow to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo moving one step closer to becoming first Muslim, Indian-origin Mayor of the biggest city in the US.

Mamdani's win in the primary elections has irked Trump who said "the Democrats have crossed the line"

The President wrote on X, "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.

"He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!"

Invoking South Africa's first President Nelson Mandela after the win, Mamdani wrote on X, "In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City."

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Mamdani, 33, is the son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan academic, author, and political commentator of Indian ancestry who migrated to USA. A self-declared activist, Zohran Mamdani is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America Party.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani came to New York at the age of seven. The 33-year-old earned his BA degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College after attending Bronx High School of Science.

Before joining politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor and also performed as a rapper under 'Mr. Cardamom'.  

In 2020, Mamdani upset an incumbent to join the Assembly and was reelected unopposed.

In 2023, he co‑launched the city's first fare‑free bus pilot, boosting weekday ridership significantly and decreasing bus driver assaults by a huge margin.

Zohran Mamdani made headlines last year for stating that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he ever visited New York.

In a resurfaced interview from December 2024, Mamdani said, “As mayor, New York City would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a city where our values are in line with international law. It’s time that our actions are also.”

Mamdani stuns Cuomo

Endorsed by progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani is a staunch critic of Israel and explicitly supports Palestinian rights.

A member of the New York state assembly, Mamdani, who was largely unknown to the NYC residents until he announced his candidature, secured 43.5% votes as opposed to Cuomo's 36.4%.

Married to Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji, the Democratic nominee managed to upset a heavyweight like Cuomo by a sizable margin banking on promises like affordable living cost for the residents, free bus rides, free child care, affordable housing et al at the cost of increasing corporate taxes.

On the contrary, Cuomo, who was looking for a fresh start after resigining in 2021 following an alleged sexual harassment scandal, was focussing on issues like crime, law and order.

Mamdani, who was snubbed by his rival for inexperience, had weaponised the digs saying he lacked the experience of Cuomo's "corruption, scandal and disgrace".

Mamdani called Modi a 'war criminal', stirred row

Mamdani, who campaigned in languages like Spanish, Bangla and others, had courted row during campaigning after he called India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "war criminal" and also drew a parallel between the latter and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

"This is someone who we should view in the same manner that we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal," Mamdani had said when he was asked whether he would join Modi at a public rally.

Mamdani also accused Modi of orchestrating the 2002 Gujarat riots citing his family's roots to the state where the current Indian Prime Minister was the Chief Minister when the riots happened.

While his mother is a Hindu, Mamdani chose to highlight himself as a Muslim immigrant during his campaigns and in public life displaying more allegiance to the religion from his father's side. 

Mamdani branded anti-Hindu 

Mamdani faced backlash for his presence at an August 2020 protest in Times Square, where demonstrators opposed India's Ram Mandir celebrations.

During the protest, some participants reportedly chanted offensive slogans against Hindus and Lord Rama. Mamdani, who was present, did not publicly condemn the hate speech, which critics interpreted as tacit approval. 

He also accused the BJP of promoting “Hindutva or Hindu supremacy,” claiming it seeks to erase India’s pluralistic legacy.