Trump vs. Mamdani: The War of Words

United States President Donald Trump has been engaging in a war of words with Zohran Mamdani — who recently declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.

Trump, on Tuesday, said that he would have Mamdani arrested if the latter blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in New York.

“Well, then we’ll have to arrest him,” Trump said while he was visiting a temporary migrant detention center in Florida. “Look, we don’t need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I’m going to be watching over them very carefully on behalf of the nation.”

Mamdani released a statement, responding to the President’s remarks, calling it an attack on democracy and an intimidation tactic.

“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 will refuse to let ICE terrorize our city,” Mamdani stated.

The ongoing spat began right after Mamdani’s surprise victory — especially in the light of his main contender Andrew Cuomo, the state's former governor, conceding the race. 

Mamdani — who became the Democratic Party’s nominee for the mayoral elections later this year — was born to Indian parents in Kampala, Uganda, and migrated to New York with his parents at age seven. He was naturalised as a U.S. citizen in 2018, and married a Syrian artist this year.

“His statements don’t just represent an attack on our democracy but an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: if you speak up, they will come for you. We will not accept this intimidation,” Mamdani further mentioned.

Mamdani —  a self-described —  stunned New York and the world, making history as the first South Asian man to be elected as mayoral primary. His unconventional campaign and a refreshing take on how to bring down the living cost in America’s most expensive city resonated with the voters. 

However, after the declaration of his victory, Trump on Truth Social called him a “100% Communist Lunatic” adding that “It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line.” 

“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.”

The mayoral primary had secured endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Trump, in his post added, “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!”

While the Trump administration is determined to deport immigrants for speaking up about Palestine, the front-runner has been vocal about the war in Gaza, saying that he would arrest Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited NYC. 

He has also supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Drawing distinction between  anti-Zionism and antisemitism, he had stated that there is no room for antisemitism in New York City. He refused to condemn the ‘globalize the intifada’ slogan in the final days of the campaign.

“After years of being left out in the cold, including suffering one of the Greatest Losses in History, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democrats should nominate Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President, and AOC+3 should be, respectively, Vice President, and three High Level Members of the Cabinet – Added together with our future Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and our Country is really SCREWED!,” Trump had said.

While Mamdani has denied that he is a communist, Trump has since threatened to cut New York City off from federal funds if Mamdani, a democratic socialist, “doesn’t behave himself” should he be elected.

Mamdani has advocated that there should be no billionaires, owing to the prevalent financial inequality. Trump, pulling his rank as the President, said Mamdani will have to do the right thing, “or they’re not getting any money.”

Mamdani is the first south Asian man to serve in the New York Assembly, third Muslim and first Ugandan ever to be a member of the assembly.