NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani draws bipartisan criticism over socialist views, private property remarks, and refusal to condemn radical slogans.

Mamdani’s Socialism Under Fire After Viral Clip, Policy Statements

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is under intense scrutiny as a series of viral clips and resurfaced comments about his political and economic positions have ignited a bipartisan backlash. Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist who recently won the Democratic mayoral primary, has become a polarizing figure in national debates over socialism, property rights, and free speech.

Criticism intensified after a social media clip showed Mamdani explaining how he was able to take time off work due to the financial safety net provided by his family. “One of the major reasons I could do that was because I knew that if I ran out of my savings my family would be able to support me,” Mamdani said. Conservative commentators and political figures seized on the statement, linking his comfort with family support to his advocacy of taxpayer-funded social programs. Some accused him of hypocrisy, arguing that his privileged background is at odds with his socialist platform.

Donald Trump Jr. and several media voices have predicted that a Mamdani victory would spark an exodus from New York to Florida. “If this communist mayor gets elected, rock bottom is what New York’s going to see,” Trump Jr. said, adding that high-earning residents could easily relocate, impacting the city’s finances. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams are expected to face Mamdani in the November general election.

Firestorm Over Property Rights and Radical Rhetoric

The controversy deepened with the resurfacing of a video in which Mamdani floated the idea of abolishing private property. “If there was any system that could guarantee each person housing, whether you call it the abolition of private property or just a statewide housing guarantee, it is preferable to what is going on right now,” he said. The remarks drew swift condemnation from New York Republicans and national figures. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis called the proposal “communist ideas right out of the playbook of Karl Marx,” warning of economic chaos and the erosion of personal freedoms if Mamdani’s views became policy.

Other critics, such as Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Claudia Tenney, denounced the comments as “dangerous and un-American,” arguing that property rights are fundamental to the nation’s economic health and liberty. “Stripping this fundamental right would devastate families, close small businesses, and destroy entire communities, all while handing more power to the government,” Tenney said. Rep. Nick Langworthy added, “Families are fleeing the City and our State because of high costs, crime, and broken leadership—not because there’s too much freedom.”

Mamdani has also come under fire for his stance on controversial slogans used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. A bipartisan House resolution led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Rudy Yakym condemned the phrase “globalize the intifada” as a call for violence against Jews and Israelis worldwide. Mamdani has refused to explicitly denounce the slogan, instead stating in private meetings that he would “discourage” its use. Critics on both sides of the aisle argue that his refusal to take a clear public stance fuels division and undermines public safety.

The resolution, which cites a recent surge in antisemitic violence, calls on national, state, and local leaders to unequivocally reject rhetoric that incites hatred. Gottheimer stated, “Globalizing [the intifada] is a direct call for violence against Jews, and it must be condemned.”

November Election Looms Amid Political Polarization

Mamdani’s rapid ascent in city politics has been marked by both enthusiastic support from progressive and working-class voters, as well as fierce opposition from conservatives and moderates concerned about public safety, property rights, and economic stability. With the November election approaching, the battle over the future direction of New York City has become a national flashpoint, highlighting deeper rifts over ideology and governance in American politics.

As Mamdani prepares to face Cuomo and Adams, the campaign will test whether New Yorkers are ready to embrace a socialist platform—or whether opposition warnings about economic flight and rising extremism will turn voters toward more traditional candidates.