Why Trump is scared of Zohran Mamdani: ‘Does he see his own movement in reverse?’

Read time: 4 mins

In brief…

• Zohran Mamdani, has been labelled a “communist” by Trump, seems certain to win the upcoming election for New York mayor – but is this because he sees a similarity between how the opposing politicians have motivated voters?
• The News Agents say his win would be the most “significant win” for the Democrats in US history.
• Journalist and former Mamdani colleague Ross Barkan tells Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel that much of the criticism the candidate has faced is due to “fears of a young Muslim socialist”, and echoes attacks on Barack Obama during his presidential campaign.

What’s the story?

According to polling, there is a 96% chance Zohran Mamdani will win the upcoming election for New York mayor – which are pretty good odds by any estimation.

The 34-year-old, pro-Palestine Democratic nominee, born in Uganda and raised in New York, has grown a huge following in his city and across America with socialist policies and savvy use of social media to amplify his message.

Mamdani has been labelled a “communist” by Donald Trump, but his policies – including free bus fares, rent controls, universal childcare – would not seem extreme in many other parts of the world outside America.

The president has described Mamdani’s as “a disaster waiting to happen,” and suggested he could cut federal funding to New York if he wins.

Ross Barkin, US journalist and whose own 2018 campaign for New York State assembly was run by Mamdani, tells The News Agents Trump's fury at Mamdani's popularity is because the opposing politicians are "great foils" for each other.

"There are real similarities in the hold they have over their respective political establishments," he adds.

"Donald Trump was not wanted by any of the Republicans at the top of the party – he had to defeat them, and take over the party. Zohran Mamdani is in the process of doing the same thing with the Democrats.

"Zohran Mamdani can pack out arenas – so there's a part of Trump, I think, that sees a bit of his own movement in reverse."

How Mamdani has 'terrified' Democrats too

Victory for Mamdani – whose closest rival in the election is Andrew Cuomo, a former New York governor who has faced a string of sexual assault allegations  – would, The News Agents say, be "the most significant win for the left in the history of US politics."

"There have been other politicians in America who have self-identified as socialist," says Jon Sopel.

"This is someone who is going to be leading New York City, the pre-eminent financial capital of the US, and that will be something that is going to galvanise politics."

But this hasn't come with overwhelming support from all corners of the Democratic Party.

"People are excited on the Democratic side, and they're also terrified," Jon adds.

"Establishment Democrats are more comfortable with people who can cozy up to the billionaires, who've got good relations with Wall Street, who speak the same language as business."

Emily Maitlis says Democrats are becoming "over-awed" by the suggestion that Mamdani's win represents "what the Democratic Party should look like, or is going to look like, in 2025."

"If you are on the business side of New York, you think this is a man who's going to bankrupt your city," she says.

"If you are somebody who has felt completely ignored by the establishment for decades, you probably think, somebody is listening to what you need."

Will Mamdani bankrupt New York?

Barkan says Mamdani's policies would be taken for granted in many European countries – such as social democracy and "a strong social safety net".

“The worst that happens is he tries and fails to implement these policies – some of which are expensive, some which are not, the city will churn onward,” he says.

"There are people who are very pro-business and who are either wealthy or conservative, who don't believe in his policies, and they're allowed to oppose them.

"Anyone who has a brain in their head and actually has examined them can see these will not destroy the fiscal situation in any way."

He believes the scaremongering around Mamdani’s likely success is through “fears of a young Muslim socialist."

"I do think there's Islamophobia there," Barkan adds.

"He actually shares a fair amount in common with another unlikely politician – Barack Obama.

"When Obama was running for president, they said many of the same things they say about Zohran Mamdani right now – he's inexperienced, he has a thin resume. America can't vote for a man with a foreign-sounding name."

However, as polling suggests, most New Yorkers don't feel that way.

"I do think there's a minority that looks at someone with a beard, with darker skin and thinks that's not the mayor they want, and he's going to install Sharia law in New York City," Barkan adds.

"Of course he is not – he's going to be a progressive, humanist mayor."

Listen to the latest episode of The News Agents.