Mamdani Sets Sights On Trump, Says New York Victory Shows Way To Defeat Him

Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani declared victory in the historic New York election amid loud cheers from supporters and thanked New Yorkers for electing him as the first Indian-American Muslim and youngest mayor of New York City.

"Thank you to the new generation of New York. We'll fight for you because we are you. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty," he said.

Mamdani's 'Four Words' To Trump

In this less than 30-minute-long speech, Mamdani addressed US President Donald Trump directly and said, "Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up."

"To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us... If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him... I will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks," he added.

As Mamdani speaks about him, Trump writes on Truth Social, "...AND SO IT BEGINS!"

Best Wishes To Rival Cuomo

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old lawmaker went on to wish his main rival, Andrew Cuomo, "the best in private life".

"But let tonight be the last time I utter his name, as we abandon a politics that answers to the few," he said.

Declaration Of Victory

Thanking New Yorkers, he said they have delivered a mandate "for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city that we can afford."

Declaring his victory, he said, "On January 1, I will be sworn in as mayor of New York City."

"New York will remain a city of immigrants. A city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant. We'll love everyone, whether you are an immigrant or not," he said.

Ode To Nehru

The Indian-origin politician quoted India's first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech, in his victory address.

"A moment comes rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance," he said.

Promise To New Yorkers

He further said his electoral victory tonight is for all New Yorkers -- from taxi drivers to line cooks. He also told a story about how he went on a 15-day hunger strike outside of City Hall with a taxi driver named Richard.

"My brother, we are in City Hall now."

Mamdani also recounted other conversations he had with working-class people over the years, from bodega owners to nurses, and said his campaign was for those people to be represented.

"This city is your city, and this democracy is yours too," he said.

He repeated his campaign pledges for free buses, universal childcare, and tackling rising rent prices to help make the city more affordable, and told the crowd, "In this moment of darkness, New York will be the light."

He promised to stand up for all New Yorkers, including those who did not vote for him. He also thanked his parents in his speech as he embraced his Muslim identity.

"To my mama and baba, I am so proud to be your son... I am young, and I am a Muslim. I refuse to apologise for being a Muslim," he said.

Mamdani is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.