Zohran Mamdani, New York's Democratic Mayoral Pick, Says Billionaires Shouldn't Exist
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Despite this strong view, Mamdani stated that he is willing to work with everyone, including billionaires, to build a fairer New York
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, has said he does not believe billionaires should exist, explaining that extreme wealth in times of growing inequality is simply unfair.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker asked the 33-year-old politician whether he thought billionaires had a right to exist, pointing out his democratic socialist beliefs. In response, Mamdani made clear that, in his view, the problem lies in how much money is concentrated in so few hands.
'I don't think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality. And ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country," Mamdani said.
Despite this strong view, Mamdani also stated that he is willing to work with everyone, including billionaires, to build a fairer New York. 'And I look forward to working with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fairer for all of them," he said.
Mamdani's remarks come just days after his surprise victory in the Democratic primary, where he defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. His win shocked many in the political world, especially given Cuomo's long-standing presence in New York politics.
The victory was seen by some as a major shift in the party's direction, while critics, including US President Donald Trump, accused Mamdani of being a radical. The candidate defended his views, saying he is a democratic socialist—not a communist, as Trump claimed.
Salaam Bombay!'.
First Published:
June 30, 2025, 16:24 IST
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Who the Fork Are You?
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an hour ago
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Washington: Indian-origin author Danielle D'Souza Gill has distanced herself from traditional Indian eating habits after backlash over her husband, Congressman Brandon Gill's remark mocking NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for eating rice with his hands. "I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork," she said, responding to social media criticism. "I was born in America. I'm a Christian MAGA patriot. My father's extended family lives in India and they are also Christian and they use forks too. Thank you for your attention to this matter." I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I'm a Christian MAGA patriot My father's extended family lives in India and they are also Christian and they use forks too. Thank you for your attention to this matter. — Danielle D'Souza Gill (@danielledsouzag) June 30, 2025 Her comments came after her husband, a freshman Congressman from Texas, responded to a video of Mamdani by tweeting, "Civilised people in America don't eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the third world." The 2023 video shows Mamdani, who recently defeated Andrew Cuomo in a surprise Democratic primary, eating rice with his hands while reflecting on how his upbringing in Uganda and South Africa shaped his support for Palestine. Brandon Gill's comment was swiftly condemned as racist and culturally ignorant, sparking a flood of reactions online. One user wrote, "Your wife is South Indian. She grew up eating rice with her hands. You're literally marrying into it." This prompted Danielle's direct response, which has since been widely shared. Internet users also dug out images of Danielle's father, right-wing commentator Dinesh D'Souza, eating with his hands and even old photos of Brandon Gill himself eating pizza and hot dogs. "How do you eat tacos, french fries, burgers etc? Do you eat Lays with a fork too?" one user wrote in response to Gill. "Hello Civilised person from America," another added sarcastically, sharing a photo of Dinesh D'Souza eating with his hands. Zohran Mamdani's rising political profile, punctuated by his Democratic primary victory, has made him a lightning rod for Republican attacks. Some party leaders have questioned his loyalty, with President Donald Trump even threatening to cut federal funding to New York City should Mamdani fail to toe the line as mayor.
