How the common people’s leader won and billionaires’ money failed
– Atoofa Nasiha
In November 2025, New York City witnessed a political moment unlike any other. Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist, emerged victorious in the mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor-elect and its youngest in over a century. His campaign tapped into a deep desire among many New Yorkers for change, affordability, and inclusive leadership.
The Challenges Behind His Campaign
Mamdani’s journey was far from smooth. Early on, he faced scepticism from within his own party and strong criticism from rivals. He navigated complex issues surrounding his progressive platform, his stance on foreign policy, and questions about his readiness for executive office. Polls at various times showed him trailing establishment candidates. His campaign also had to contend with fierce attacks from high-profile opponents, aimed at discrediting his experience and framing his vision as too radical for the city.
Last-Minute Endorsements that Changed the Game
In the final stretch of the race, Mamdani’s campaign gained key endorsements that helped solidify his appeal. Figures such as Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive elected officials and grassroots organisations backed him, citing his focus on affordability and representation. These endorsements helped shift momentum and send a message that his campaign had mainstream relevance.
Trump’s Take
Donald Trump entered the race in an unexpected way. On the eve of the election, he publicly endorsed Mamdani’s rival and warned that if Mamdani won, federal funding for New York City could be jeopardised. Trump threatened, “It is going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York… if you have a communist running New York, all you are doing is wasting the money you’re sending there.”
He also publicly slammed Mamdani’s character, calling him a “proven and self-professed JEW HATER” and declaring that “any Jewish person who votes for Zohran Mamdani … is a stupid person!!!”
In earlier attacks, he labelled Mamdani “a 100 % Communist Lunatic” and questioned his intelligence and qualifications.
These comments added a national spotlight to the race and stirred debate over religion, identity and federal-local power.
The Political Climate Before the Vote
As the election approached, the dynamics shifted sharply. With multiple contenders in the race, including former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, the field became crowded and fragmented. Many voters expressed frustration with the status quo and were ready for a different kind of leadership. Polls showed Mamdani maintaining a strong lead, with double-digit advantages over his nearest competitors. The culmination of grassroots organising, broad endorsements and voter appetite for change set the stage for the outcome.
His Lead in the Final Polls
In multiple polls late in the campaign, Mamdani was ahead by substantial margins. One poll cited him at 46.1% of the vote, compared to 31.8% for Cuomo and 16.3% for Sliwa. On election night, he secured around 50.6% of the vote, leading in four out of five boroughs with his strongest performance in Queens. His background as a young immigrant, focus on working-class issues, and ability to mobilise diverse communities contributed to that lead.
How Billionaires Spent Fortunes to Stop Him
During the final stretch of the 2025 Zohran Mamdani mayoral campaign, more than two dozen billionaires and ultra-wealthy families spent millions to block his path to City Hall.
The spending figures were staggering. A report by Mint revealed that about $22 million was funnelled through political committees opposing Mamdani. Among the key donors were:
Michael Bloomberg, who contributed around $13.3 million to anti-Mamdani PACs.
Bill Ackman, who spent $1.25–$1.75 million, calling Mamdani an inexperienced socialist.
Joe Gebbia and the Ronald Lauder family, who also joined the effort to stop his rise.
Mamdani directly addressed their interference. In his campaign rally, he said: “Billionaires like Bill Ackman and Ronald Lauder have poured millions of dollars into this race because they say that we pose an existential threat.”
And in an interview, he added: “They’re spending more money than I would even tax them.”
The wealthy elite were alarmed by his promises to freeze rents, make buses free, expand childcare, and raise taxes on the rich. Yet despite the millions spent against him, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign triumphed. His victory became a clear message that people’s power can outweigh billionaire influence.
Mamdani’s Inaugural & Victory Speech in Brooklyn
On the night of his historic win, Zohran Mamdani stood before a roaring crowd in Brooklyn and delivered a passionate, heartfelt address, one that celebrated the power of ordinary New Yorkers and set the tone for his leadership. His words reflected pride in identity, empathy for the working class, and defiance toward his critics.
On Representing the Working Class
Mamdani opened his speech with an image that spoke directly to the city’s labouring heart. He painted a picture of the bruised fingers, scarred knuckles, and calloused palms of New Yorkers who have long been denied power. “These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power,” he said. By declaring that these very hands had now “grasped it,” he positioned his win as a victory for warehouse workers, delivery riders, cooks, and caretakers, the ordinary people who keep the city alive. His tone was both proud and humble, crediting them for toppling a “political dynasty” that had long favoured the powerful few.
On Ending Old Politics
Without dwelling on names, Mamdani symbolically closed the chapter on past leadership, wishing former governor Andrew Cuomo well while asserting that “tonight we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few.” This marked a turning point not just a personal win, but a call to rebuild a city where power and access are not limited to the elite. He defined his election as a “mandate for change” and promised a government that people could afford and believe in again.
On Inclusion and Belonging
One of the most powerful sections of his speech celebrated New York’s diversity. He thanked groups often ignored by mainstream politics, “Yemeni bodega owners, Mexican abuelas, Senegalese taxi drivers, Uzbek nurses, Trinidadian line cooks, and Ethiopian aunties.” By naming them, he reminded everyone that New York’s strength lies in its mix of cultures and hardworking communities. His words, “This city is your city and this democracy is yours, too,” resonated deeply with immigrants and marginalized residents who have long felt unseen.
On Housing and Affordability
Mamdani’s speech repeatedly returned to the city’s housing crisis. He told stories of real people like Wesley, who commutes hours from Pennsylvania because he cannot afford rent in New York, and Richard, a taxi driver who works seven days a week. These stories humanized the crisis and framed his agenda: a city where “working people can love and live in again.” Later in the speech, he pledged rent freezes for more than a million tenants and universal child care, describing it as “the most ambitious agenda to tackle the cost-of-living crisis since Fiorello LaGuardia.”
On Restoring Hope
Mamdani spoke directly to the fatigue and despair that had settled over many residents. “New York City, breathe this moment in,” he urged. His words carried emotional weight, a collective sigh of relief for people who had “held their breath in anticipation of defeat.” By saying “we are breathing in the air of a city that has been reborn,” he framed this victory not just as political success, but as a moment of emotional renewal for the people.
On Hope and Democracy
Reaffirming his campaign’s foundation, Mamdani said, “Hope is alive.” He reminded supporters that it was hope that carried them through “attack ad after attack ad.” His phrase “we chose hope together” stood out as the emotional centre of his speech. He turned a private act voting into a shared victory, declaring that “no longer would politics be something done to us; now it is something that we do.” It was a powerful message of ownership and collective agency.
On His Vision for Governance
Mamdani quoted Jawaharlal Nehru to mark the start of a “new age,” where politics would focus on bold ideas instead of timid excuses. He outlined an ambitious roadmap: more teachers, faster buses, universal childcare, and affordable housing. He also promised to restore safety and dignity to communities by creating a Department of Community Safety focused on mental health and homelessness. His promise: “Excellence will become the expectation across government, not the exception.”
On Standing Against Division and Hate
This was one of the most emotional sections of the speech. “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” he declared. He promised to stand with all communities, Black women, trans people, single mothers, Jewish New Yorkers, and Muslims. “No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election,” he said to loud applause. Mamdani vowed that under his leadership, the city would protect every group’s dignity and unity.
On Addressing Trump
In a fiery segment, Mamdani turned his focus toward Donald Trump, who had called him a “Jew-hater,” “communist,” and threatened to deny federal funds to New York City if Mamdani won. Mamdani responded directly: “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.” He promised to hold “bad landlords” like Trump accountable, end billionaire tax evasion, and stand shoulder to shoulder with unions. “To get to any of us,” he said, “you will have to get through all of us.” The audience roared in approval, marking this as one of the defining moments of his speech.
On His Identity and What Comes Next
As he neared the end, Mamdani reflected on his identity. “I am young,” he said, “I am Muslim, I am a democratic socialist and most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.” It was a declaration of pride and defiance, showing that authenticity had triumphed over convention. He closed with an image of renewal: “Let the prose we write still rhyme, and let us build a shining city for all.” His promise was simple yet powerful to make New Yorkers feel that the city they love finally loves them back.
What’s Ahead in NYC
With Mamdani poised to take office on January 1, 2026, New York City faces a new chapter. His agenda centers on affordability, expanded services, and a deeper connection to under-represented communities. Yet alongside opportunity lie challenges: delivering on ambitious promises, working across a divided city council, and navigating federal-local tensions highlighted by Trump’s remarks. How effectively he transitions from campaign to governance will shape the city’s future.
Voices from the City
Voters across different boroughs expressed a mix of hope and caution. Supporters praised Mamdani’s authenticity and focus on everyday issues like rent and transit. One younger voter said, “He speaks like someone in our shoes.” His victory, many argued, was not just about one person, but about a changing city.
Zohran Mamdani’s historic win did more than make headlines. It underscored a shift in New York City politics: younger voices mobilising, grassroots power rising, and questions about affordability and representation coming to the fore. The real test now begins. Can he turn promise into action and bring lasting change for all New Yorkers? Time will tell.
