Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and son of Indian-Ugandan immigrants, secured a surprise victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.;…reports Asian Lite News
President Donald Trump has intensified his verbal assault on New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, branding him a “communist lunatic” and threatening arrest and deportation if elected.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and son of Indian-Ugandan immigrants, secured a surprise victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. His campaign promises—rent freezes, free public transport, and city-run grocery stores—have drawn enthusiastic support from the left and scathing criticism from conservatives.
Trump has taken direct aim at Mamdani’s background and ideology, claiming he would “destroy New York” and promising to “make the city great again” by intervening if necessary. “I’m not going to let this lunatic ruin New York,” he posted on Truth Social. “I hold all the levers and have all the cards.”
Speaking at a migrant detention centre in Florida, Trump said Mamdani’s policies on immigration enforcement could warrant federal action. “If he blocks ICE, we’ll have to arrest him,” he said, falsely suggesting Mamdani might be in the country illegally. Mamdani, a naturalised American citizen, came to New York at the age of seven.
The GOP has swiftly seized on Mamdani’s past remarks, particularly his criticism of the NYPD and support for Palestinian rights. Republicans have labelled him antisemitic and anti-American, using him to portray the Democratic Party as out of touch with voters.
Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric has also emerged. One Republican congressman shared a video of Mamdani eating with his hands, calling it “uncivilised,” while others have demanded investigations into his citizenship.
Mamdani has responded by accusing Trump of using fear to distract from economic hardship. “He would rather stoke division than admit he’s betrayed working-class Americans,” he said at a recent press conference.
As the general election nears, Mamdani has become the new face of progressive politics—and a prime target in Trump’s re-election playbook.
