Zohran Mamdani’s name had already made history on election night.
But just days after becoming New York City’s first Muslim mayor-elect, he found himself at the center of one of the most intense political storms the city has witnessed in decades.

For supporters, his victory symbolized a major shift in the city’s political landscape.
For critics — including some of the most powerful voices in national politics — it sparked controversy, accusations, and heated rhetoric.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive state assemblyman, won the mayoral race on November 4, 2025.He defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.

When he takes office on January 1, 2026, he will become the first Muslim, the first South Asian, the first African-born, and the first Millennial mayor in New York’s long history.

His victory speech reflected both humility and determination.
“The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate,” he told thousands of cheering supporters at Brooklyn Paramount.
“I am young. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”

The crowd erupted, energized by his message of representation and change.
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change,” he continued, reinforcing the themes that guided his grassroots campaign.

A Campaign Rooted in Affordability and Public Services

Throughout the race, Mamdani focused heavily on the affordability crisis affecting millions of New Yorkers.
His platform included bold proposals:

• Free public bus service

• Universal childcare

• A rent freeze on stabilized apartments

• Expanded protections for tenants

• Improvements to public housing

• Stronger social programs for working families

While his opponents criticized these proposals as unrealistic or too expensive, many New Yorkers — especially younger voters, renters, and working-class families — embraced his vision.

His campaign grew rapidly from community organizing, neighborhood outreach, and small-donor fundraising.
By Election Day, he had built a coalition of voters eager for systemic change.

Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for mayor speaks during a press conference celebrating his primary victory with leaders and members of the city’s labor unions on July 2, 2025 in New York. Mamdani defeated Cuomo by 12 points, crossing 50% after just 3 rounds and receiving the most votes in a Democratic primary for NYC Mayor in 36 years. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

An Immigrant’s Journey to City Hall

Mamdani’s path to becoming mayor began far from New York.
He was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991.
His family immigrated to the United States when he was seven years old.

He spent his early years in New York as a lawful permanent resident.
In 2018, he officially became a U.S. citizen — a milestone that eventually opened the door to his political career.

His background as a son of immigrants shaped his worldview.
He often speaks about issues of fairness, economic justice, and immigrant rights, themes that resonated strongly during his mayoral run.

A Candidate Who Attracted Both Admiration and Opposition

Even before Election Day, Mamdani had become a polarizing figure in national politics.
Throughout the campaign, he frequently criticized federal immigration enforcement practices, especially the behavior of ICE agents in New York.

During his primary victory speech in June 2025, he promised to “stop masked ICE agents from deporting our neighbors.”
The statement drew national attention — and immediate backlash.

Former President Donald Trump responded directly, telling ABC News:
“Well then, we’ll have to arrest him.”
He also insulted Mamdani publicly, calling him “a nut job” and repeating — without evidence — claims that the mayor-elect was in the country unlawfully.

“A lot of people are saying he’s here illegally,” Trump said in one interview.
“We’re going to look at everything.”

Although these claims had no factual basis, they fueled a wave of criticism from conservative activists and media commentators.
Mamdani, who has been a U.S. citizen since 2018, called the allegations harmful and irresponsible.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a campaign rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on October 26, 2025. New Yorkers will cast their votes for mayor on November 4, 2025. Mamdani, the Democratic candidate, is the current frontrunner ahead of former New York Governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Mamdani Responds to the President’s Comments

The mayor-elect did not remain silent.
He took to social media to address Trump’s remarks, stating:

“The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp, and deported — not because I have broken any law but because I refuse to let ICE terrorize our city.”

He went on to warn that political intimidation of this kind has serious consequences for democracy.
“His statements don’t just represent an attack on me. They represent an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows.”

His response resonated with supporters who believe the political rhetoric surrounding his campaign had gone too far.

Escalation on Truth Social

As Election Day approached, the conflict intensified.
On Truth Social, Trump labeled Mamdani a “self-proclaimed New York City Communist,” despite the fact that Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist — a term with significant political differences.

Trump insisted that Mamdani would “have problems with Washington like no mayor in history.”
He also claimed that federal funding for New York City might be withheld, writing:

“Remember, he needs money from me, as President, to fulfill his fake promises. He won’t be getting any of it.”

These statements sparked debate among legal experts, many of whom argued that federal funds cannot be denied solely due to political disagreements.

A New Wave of Accusations from Capitol Hill

On October 29, Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee issued a public statement demanding an investigation into Mamdani.
Ogles accused him — again without evidence — of lying on his naturalization application and being associated with extremist political ideologies.

“If Mamdani lied on his naturalization documents, he doesn’t get to be a citizen,” Ogles wrote.
“If that is confirmed, put him on the first flight back to Uganda.”

The remarks intensified the political storm, prompting fact-checking organizations to step in.

Legal Experts Reject Claims of Wrongdoing

According to a review by PolitiFact:

• There is no credible evidence that Mamdani lied during his naturalization process.

• Denaturalization can only occur through court order, not through public statements.

• Citizenship cannot be revoked as a form of political retaliation.

Immigration and constitutional lawyers widely agreed that the rhetoric surrounding Mamdani had no legal basis.
They described the claims as political posturing rather than legitimate legal challenges.

Stepping Into Office Amid Intense Scrutiny

With his inauguration approaching, Mamdani faces an unusually turbulent transition.
Most newly elected mayors enjoy a brief period of political “honeymoon,” but Mamdani’s first months are expected to be dominated by national debates, legal interpretations, and ongoing public disputes.

Despite the adversity, his message has remained consistent.
He has emphasized that he intends to govern with transparency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the communities who elected him.

On election night, he delivered one of his most memorable lines:
“To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”

A City and a Nation Watching Closely

As the political conflict continues, millions of Americans — and millions of New Yorkers — are watching to see what happens next.
The situation raises important questions about:

• Immigration policy

• Political rhetoric

• The limits of presidential authority

• The safety of elected officials

• The role of activism in public office

Zohran Mamdani’s story is no longer just about a groundbreaking election.
It has become a flashpoint in a broader national conversation about democracy, identity, and political power.

Whether one agrees with him or opposes him, his election marks a historic moment for New York City — and the battles unfolding around him may influence national politics for years to come.