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The Hill
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump and Mamdani have more in common than they think
For a while now, I've been trying to figure out who Zohran Mamdani reminds me of. Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, just won the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, running on a platform that would make Karl Marx beam with pride. Was it Fidel Castro he brought to mind — the socialist-turned-communist who transformed Cuba's once-bustling economy into a cautionary tale? Or maybe Hugo Chávez — the man whose brand of socialism sent Venezuela's economy off a cliff? Even Marx himself briefly crossed my mind. In a 2021 address to the Young Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani actually said that 'seizing the means of production' was a worthy 'end goal.' But now that he's gunning to be mayor of New York City, Mamdani has conveniently backed off the revolutionary rhetoric — realizing, perhaps, that talk like that can be a tough sell, even in the People's Republic of New York. Mamdani wants to pour money that the city doesn't have into a laundry list of socialist pet projects — free bus rides, subsidized food from government-run grocery stores, rent control covering nearly half the city's apartments. You know, the usual suspects in the progressive wish book. And then it hit me: Zohran Mamdani reminds me of President Trump. Yes, that Trump — the same one who has labeled Mamdani a 'total nut job.' But what could a capitalist like Trump and a socialist like Mamdani possibly have in common, you reasonably ask? Stay with me for a second. For starters, Mamdani is channeling the very same discontent Trump tapped into on his way to the White House. Both appeal to voters who are sick and tired of falling behind. Both understand the gut-punch of watching paychecks lag the rising cost of food, rent and just plain living. Both present themselves as outsiders who 'get it' when nobody else does. And both rely on media ecosystems that reinforce their followers' beliefs. For Mamdani, it's friendly social media and MSNBC. For Trump, it's Truth Social and Fox News. Neither one seems remotely concerned about spending money they don't have. Mamdani wants New Yorkers in 'rich, white neighborhoods' to foot the bill for his progressive vision. And if you believe Democrats, Trump's economic policies have shifted the burden onto the middle class, while the wealthiest Americans cruise by with barely a dent in their wallets. If you believe Democrats, that is. Trump is still basking in the glow of his latest legislative 'win' — his so-called 'big, beautiful bill' that is projected to jack up the national debt by anywhere from $3 to $5 trillion over the next decade. And very soon, we'll be spending more to service our debt than we spend on the entire Department of Defense. To be fair, both parties have been acting like drunken sailors on a spending spree for years. But as the midterms approach, Republicans might want to think twice before playing the 'fiscal responsibility' card. Trump and company aren't exactly running a tight ship, either. If Mamdani wins in November, reality is going to punch New York City right in the mouth. Because eventually — Margaret Thatcher said it best — socialists run out of other people's money. As for Trump? Who knows whether his 'big, beautiful bill' will make America richer and stronger or poorer and weaker. But one thing's for sure: When voters don't trust the establishment to look out for them, they'll take a flier on the outsider. That's why Mamdani won. It's why Trump won. And it's why, like it or not, the capitalist and the socialist have a lot more in common than either one might think — or would ever admit.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Seize means of production': Zohran Mamdani's 'end goal' gives communist refugees chills- viral video
A resurfaced video of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani advocating 'seizing the means of production' has sent chills through a section of communist refugees. The TOI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Mamdani has, however, categorically dismissed the claims of him being a communist, and describes himself as a "democratic socialist". 'I call myself a democratic socialist, in many ways, inspired by the words of [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] from decades ago, who said, 'Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism: There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God's children in this country,'' he told the NBC. What does the viral video clip say? In the resurfaced clip from a 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America conference, as per the New York Post, Mamdani says the goal of 'this entire project' is not just to raise class awareness, but to achieve socialism and elect leaders who are 'unapologetic' about it. He acknowledges that while some causes socialists strongly support — like boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel, as well as the ultimate aim of seizing the means of production — may be unpopular right now, they are still worth advancing. 'It is critical to the way that we organize, the way that we set up our, you know, set up our work and our priorities that we do not leave any one issue for the other; that we do not meet a moment and only look at what people are ready for, but that we are doing both of these things in tandem, because it is critical for us to both meet people where they're at and to also organize for what is correct and for what is right, and to ensure that over time we can bring people to that issue,' he said. What did the communist refugees say? Calling it a "failed and dangerous government model", former Brooklyn Councilman and communist refugee Ari Kagan wrote on X, "After Red October Socialist Revolution in 1917, Bolsheviks seized means of production, jailed or killed business owners, eliminated freedoms & took over private farms & food stores. I would never imagine NYC would consider this failed & dangerous government model." 'It's very chilling to hear that. It's dangerous and scary. A majority of New Yorkers have to reject this man,' he told the NYP. Calling it "straight out of Karl Marx's Communist playbook", Representative Nicole Malliotakis, whose mother fled the communist regime installed in Cuba by Fidel Castro, said, 'Of all his left-wing rhetoric, this is the scariest thing Mamdani has said and it's straight out of Karl Marx's Communist playbook.' 'My mother fled a country that `seized the means of production' and now my relatives have no medicine, no property and rationed rice and beans in Cuba,' Nicole said. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who was born in Soviet-controlled Ukraine, accused Mamdani of hiding his true political beliefs. 'This is exactly why Zohran's whole song-and-dance about `democratic socialism' somehow being different from communism is pure deception,' The Post quoted her as saying. 'Those of us who grew up under communism know this all too well. Our home countries were destroyed by ideas that came dressed in pleasant, persuasive packaging,' she said.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Zohran Mamdani's ‘chilling' call for ‘seizing the means of production' draws outrage from communist refugees: ‘Dangerous and scary'
Several communist refugees and New York pols expressed outrage Monday after a clip resurfaced of presumptive Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani noting that one of his goals is 'seizing the means of production.' 'After [the] Red October Socialist Revolution in 1917, Bolsheviks seized means of production, jailed or killed business owners, eliminated freedoms & took over private farms & food stores,' former Brooklyn Councilman and communist refugee Ari Kagan wrote on X. 'I would never imagine NYC would consider this failed & dangerous government model.' 3 Mamdani noted the unpopularity of 'seizing the means of production' in remarks at the 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America conference, but said the cause should still be promoted. Stephen Yang Kagan, a Belarus native who grew up under Soviet-style communism, further told The Post that the clip of Mamdani grinning as he parrots communist godfather Karl Marx's marching orders is 'chilling.' 'It's very chilling to hear that,' the former council member said. 'It's dangerous and scary. A majority of New Yorkers have to reject this man.' 'I remember government-run stores in Minsk. There were long lines,' Kagan recalled. Mamdani is a double whammy for Kagan, who is Jewish. 'He's a Hamas sympathizer,' the ex-councilman declared. In the resurfaced clip – from a 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America conference – Mamdani argues that the 'purpose' of 'this entire project' is 'not simply to raise class consciousness, but to win socialism' and elect leaders who are 'unapologetic about our socialism.' The mayoral candidate, a self-described Democratic Socialist, notes that certain issues socialists 'firmly believe in,' such as boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel and 'the end goal of seizing the means of production' are unpopular at the moment but should still be championed. 'It is critical to the way that we organize, the way that we set up our, you know, set up our work and our priorities that we do not leave any one issue for the other; that we do not meet a moment and only look at what people are ready for, but that we are doing both of these things in tandem, because it is critical for us to both meet people where they're at and to also organize for what is correct and for what is right, and to ensure that over time we can bring people to that issue,' Mamdani said. 3 Kagan was one of several communist refugees who slammed Mamdani over the resurfaced clip Monday. Gabriella Bass Last week, after Mamdani's stunning upset in New York's Democratic mayoral primary, President Trump described the presumptive nominee as a '100% Communist Lunatic.' Mamdani has insisted that he is not a communist. 'No, I am not,' he responded, when asked directly by NBC's Kristen Welker on 'Meet the Press' on Sunday. 'I call myself a democratic socialist, in many ways, inspired by the words of [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] from decades ago, who said, 'Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism: There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God's children in this country,'' Mamdani added. 3 Mamdani claims he is not a communist. Paul Martinka Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a native of former Soviet-controlled Ukraine, argued that Mamdani was being deceptive about his true politics. 'This is exactly why Zohran's whole song-and-dance about `democratic socialism' somehow being different from communism is pure deception,' Vernikov argued, when asked about the resurfaced clip. 'Those of us who grew up under communism know this all too well. Our home countries were destroyed by ideas that came dressed in pleasant, persuasive packaging.' 'New Yorkers need to wake up before it's too late.' Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), whose mother fled the communist regime installed in Cuba by late dictator Fidel Castro, said the clip of Mamdani is the 'scariest thing' she's heard the controversial mayoral candidate mutter. 'Of all his left-wing rhetoric, this is the scariest thing Mamdani has said and it's straight out of Karl Marx's Communist playbook,' Malliotakis said. 'My mother fled a country that `seized the means of production' and now my relatives have no medicine, no property and rationed rice and beans in Cuba,' the 11th District rep added. 'Venezuela also `seized it means of production' and a quarter of its population fled and those who remain are living in poverty and misery.' 'What I really don't understand is why immigrants would come to this country if they hate our form of government and economy so much,' Malliotakis continued. 'His family could've chosen any other country in the world including Cuba or Venezuela if they love socialism and communism so much.' Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino similarly argued that Mamdani's comments were 'straight out of the Communist Manifesto.' 'There's no way to spin that. He's obviously a full-blown communist, and we cannot have someone like this in charge of America's largest and most important economic center,' Paladino argued. 'Between this and everything else we know about him, it's obvious that Zohran doesn't hold a single identifiable American value.' 'Clearly he lied on his immigration application, and he has no business being here. It's time for this experiment to end. It's time to review Zohran's naturalization status. And it may be time to look seriously at the Communist Control Act again,' she warned. The Post has reached out to Mamdani's campaign for comment.
