When Zohran Mamdani walked through the streets of Manhattan’s affluent Upper East Side to meet voters, the crowd that gathered around him was so large he could barely move a few steps without stopping.

Two young women greeted him with smiles, saying they follow him on Instagram. Mamdani thanked them warmly before posing for a selfie with a young supporter. Meanwhile, reporters swarmed around him, snapping photos as he shook hands with a taxi driver who declared, “We’re with you!”

The 34-year-old lawmaker, community organizer, and son of Ugandan-Indian immigrants has quickly emerged as one of the most watched political figures in America’s largest city. Polls suggest that Mamdani, a self-described “democratic socialist”, could soon become not only New York City’s youngest mayor in a century, but also its first Muslim and South Asian mayor.

Trump Enters the Race — by Backing Mamdani’s Rival

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Mamdani’s opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged left-leaning voters “not to vote for Mamdani,” describing Cuomo as “talented” and Mamdani as “not.”

“Whether you like Andrew Cuomo or not,” Trump wrote, “you have no choice. You must give him a chance and hope he does well.”

Cuomo responded by saying, “Trump is not supporting me — he’s opposing Mamdani.”

A few days earlier, Trump had warned that if Mamdani wins, federal funds for New York could be slashed. “It’s very unlikely I’d send federal money to New York if a communist runs it,” he said in an interview, calling Mamdani a “communist.”

Despite the attacks, Mamdani continues to lead in the polls.

From Hip-Hop Artist to Political Disruptor

Only a few years ago, Zohran Mamdani was little known outside progressive activist circles. His journey from hip-hop artist and housing counselor to New York State Assembly member — and now a front-running mayoral candidate — has captured the imagination of voters seeking change.

His campaign appeals to residents weary of rising costs and political stagnation. Through viral videos, podcasts, and social media, Mamdani has mobilized young voters and working-class communities disillusioned with both major parties.

Yet the question remains: Can he deliver on his ambitious promises — and withstand fierce opposition from Trump-era conservatives and centrist Democrats alike?

“Bread, Shelter, and Justice” — Mamdani’s Campaign Message

Housing affordability and social equity are at the heart of Mamdani’s agenda. He has pledged to cap rent increases in subsidized housing, make public buses free, and provide universal childcare.

“Our democracy cannot survive on speeches alone,” he told BBC reporters during a campaign ride on Manhattan’s M57 bus. “It must meet people’s basic needs — housing, food, and dignity.”

His economic plan relies on imposing new taxes on large corporations and millionaires, which he claims could raise over $9 billion to fund his programs. Critics, however, including analysts at the Cato Institute, argue that his calculations are unrealistic and that he would still need cooperation from state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul.

Wall Street’s Uneasy Truce

Mamdani’s Democratic primary win over the summer rattled Wall Street. Some corporate leaders threatened to relocate, calling his ideas “anti-business.” But as the general election nears, the tone has shifted from fear to cautious engagement.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently offered to “help” if Mamdani wins, while real estate developer Jeffrey Gural, after meeting with the candidate, acknowledged his sincerity but warned that rent freezes and higher taxes might drive wealthy New Yorkers out of the city.

In October, Mamdani attended a private meeting with 40 top business executives — half of them Jewish — at the Brooklyn townhouse of jewelry designer Alexis Bittar. “People were impressed,” Bittar later said. “He listens carefully, answers questions thoughtfully, and works hard to connect.”

A Shift on Policing and Crime

Mamdani has also shown a pragmatic side. After calling for cuts to the NYPD’s budget in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, he later apologized, saying his views had evolved.

To reassure moderate voters, he has vowed to keep Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her post and maintain current staffing levels. However, he plans to launch a new “Community Safety Department” that would dispatch mental health professionals instead of armed officers for non-violent crises.

Howard Wolfson, a veteran Democratic strategist and former aide to Michael Bloomberg, said the key issue remains crime. “Public safety will determine whether he succeeds or fails,” Wolfson told BBC.

Gaza, Identity, and the Politics of Division

One position Mamdani has refused to soften is his outspoken criticism of Israel’s policies and his advocacy for Palestinian rights. That stance — rare among major American politicians — has polarized New York’s electorate, home to one of the world’s largest Jewish populations outside Israel.

During the primary, he sparked controversy by refusing to condemn the slogan “Globalize the Intifada.” After dialogue with Jewish constituents, he later urged activists not to use the phrase, saying he understood their discomfort.

A letter signed by more than 1,100 Jewish rabbis condemned what they called the “normalization of anti-Zionism” in politics. Still, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a close ally, insists that Mamdani’s campaign transcends religion: “He’s a candidate for everyone’s safety and dignity — not just for one community.”

Muslim activists like Samia Chaudhry and Farhana Islam, who are helping lead his campaign, agree. “His identity matters,” Farhana said, “but it’s his policies that have earned people’s trust.”

Facing Hate — and Turning It Into Resolve

Mamdani’s historic candidacy has also made him a target of Islamophobia. After receiving death threats from a man in Texas — now facing terrorism charges — Mamdani has been placed under police protection.

When Cuomo recently smiled on air as a radio host joked that Mamdani might “celebrate another 9/11,” the candidate responded with a deeply personal speech.

“I once thought if I ignored racism and focused only on my message, people would see beyond my religion,” Mamdani said. “I was wrong. No matter how hard you try, hate finds its way. But we must stand against it — not with anger, but with courage.”

A Divided Party, A Defining Moment

While Mamdani’s rise energizes progressives, it unsettles establishment Democrats. Party leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries withheld their endorsements until the final hours before early voting began.

Moderate Democrats worry that his left-wing platform could deepen divisions within the party and provide ammunition for Republicans. “His ideas are too extreme for most Americans,” warned Congressman Josh Gottheimer, “and could make Democrats look socialist — exactly what Republicans want.”

Yet on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Mamdani seems undeterred. “Opposition is inevitable,” he told supporters. “But behind me stands a people’s movement — and that’s stronger than fear.”

The Stakes for America

Whether Mamdani wins or loses, his campaign has already reshaped New York’s political conversation — placing social justice, housing, and representation at the center of a city long dominated by wealth and establishment power.

If elected, he would lead a metropolis with a $116 billion budget — larger than most national economies — and face the formidable challenge of governing amid polarization, economic pressure, and cultural division.

But for now, as crowds continue to chant his name on the streets of Manhattan, one thing is clear: Zohran Mamdani’s movement is larger than a single election — it’s a test of what kind of democracy New York, and America, wants to be.