Donald Trump has found a new adversary in Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist shaking up New York politics. After Mamdani’s stunning primary win on a platform of taxing the rich and funding social programs, Trump took to Truth Social, calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic” and threatening to deport him if he becomes mayor.
Mamdani, never one to shy from confrontation, shot back with a bold five-word challenge during a TV interview: “We may need to arrest him.” The retort went viral, cementing his status as a progressive folk hero. But Trump wasn’t finished. At a Florida event near a migrant detention center, he suggested Mamdani’s citizenship might be illegitimate and warned, “We don’t need communists roaming our streets.”
The Queens assemblyman, whose parents immigrated from India via Uganda, framed the attacks as predictable. “Trump always goes after people’s identities when he can’t argue with their ideas,” he told supporters. Indeed, the former president’s rhetoric grew uglier, with allies like Rep. Andy Ogles tossing out Islamophobic barbs like “Goodbye, little Muhammad!”
Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams drew fire for echoing Trump’s talking points, prompting Mamdani to accuse him of “dividing New Yorkers instead of uniting them.” Political analysts say the feud has given Mamdani unexpected momentum, introducing his policies to voters who might never have heard of free public transit or a $30 minimum wage otherwise.
As November approaches, one thing is clear: Trump’s attempts to intimidate Mamdani have backfired, turning the young socialist into a symbol of resistance—and setting the stage for a mayoral race that could redefine New York’s future.
