Snake oil seller to 100% communist. Why Mamdani is facing backlash tsunami

India Today

8 hours ago

Hours after winning the Democratic primary for the November New York mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani, son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, found himself at the centre of a political firestorm. From US President Donald Trump to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, critics across the political spectrum have launched blistering attacks, branding him everything from a "snake oil seller" to a "100% communist".advertisementThe backlash was sparked by Mamdani's tall promises, vocal criticism of Israel, and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.Mamdani, whose father is Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, is married to Rama Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist.
In Tuesday's heated Democratic primary election event, New York City Mayor Eric Adams slammed the 33-year-old, calling him a "snake oil salesman," following Mamdani's victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was seeking a political comeback."He was just saying whatever people wanted to hear to win," said Adams during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday morning. The mayor is set to challenge the 33-year-old Mamdani again in November's general election, this time as an independent candidate, according to a report in The New York Post.NEW YORK MAYOR SLAMS MAMDANI PLAN AS 'EMPTY PROMISE'advertisementEric Adams claimed Mamdani was making unrealistic progressive promises that he wouldn't be able to keep.Mamdani has put forward a number of bold ideas, including freezing rents on regulated apartments, providing free bus service and child care through public funding, and launching grocery stores run by the city.Throughout his campaign, Mamdani said the estimated $10 billion price tag for his wide range of proposals would be covered by raising taxes on New York City's wealthiest residents.Adams dismissed Mamdani's tax plan as "misleading", saying mayors can't raise income taxes."Think about this for a moment — (Mamdani) wants to raise taxes on the 1% of New Yorkers' high income (But) as the mayor you don't have the ability to do that," Adams said, noting that raising taxes is something Mamdani could push for in the state Assembly, where he is currently serving his third term representing Queens, The New York Post reported."He doesn't understand the power of government and how you must be making sure you're improving your economy [and] raising the standard of living," the 64-year-old mayor added.100% COMMUNIST LUNATIC: TRUMP SLAMS MAMDANITrump also launched a furious attack on the Democratic socialist. Mamdani won 43.5% of the vote with 90 percent of ballots counted.advertisement"It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social."We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!" the President added.SOME DEMOCRATS ECHO REPUBLICANS' VIEWSLawrence Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under former President Barack Obama, echoed sentiments similar to those voiced by Trump, expressing serious concern over Mamdani's victory in a social media post, according to news agency Associated Press (AP)."I am profoundly alarmed about the future of the (Democratic Party) and the country" because of the New York City results," Summers wrote.Matt Bennett, co-founder of the centrist Democratic group Third Way, warned that Mamdani's policies are a political problem for the Democratic Party."The fact that Mamdani is young, charismatic, a great communicator — all of those things are to be emulated," AP quoted Bennett as saying.advertisement"His ideas are bad and his affiliation with the (Democratic Socialists of America) is very dangerous. It's already being weaponised by the Republicans," he added.MAMDANI'S POLITICAL VIEWS, POSITIONSSince 2021, Mamdani has been representing Astoria, Queens, in the New York State Assembly. His victory in the mayoral primary indicates that progressive ideas are becoming more popular in the city. His campaign has ambitious plans, like establishing city-run grocery stores, freezing rent increases in rent-stabilised housing, and providing free city buses. These ideas would be funded by a $10 billion tax increase on businesses and wealthy residents.Mamdani has been vocal about international issues, especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. His firm pro-Palestinian position has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Israel organisations. At one point, he stated that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to New York City, he would support having him arrested, citing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants issued in November 2024.His supporters view him as a bold and much-needed progressive voice for New York.MAMDANI AND HIS FAMILYMamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to parents with roots in India, and became an American citizen in 2018 shortly after graduating from college.advertisementHe spent some part his childhood with his family in Cape Town, South Africa, before relocating to New York City at the age of 7.His mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker who has made cult films such as Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, and Mississippi Masala. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is an anthropology professor at Columbia University.Earlier this year, Mamdani tied the knot with Rama Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist, in a ceremony at the City Clerk's Office. The two met through the dating app Hinge and now reside together in Astoria, Queens.- EndsTrending Reel