After Democratic primary for NYC mayor, Zohran Mamdani fights past Islamophobia, smears, and personal attacks to build a coalition

Following the stunning first-place result by newcomer Zohran Mamdani over political veteran Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race Tuesday, the presumptive Democratic nominee is moving on to his next challenge–overcoming Islamophobia while building his coalition.

The 33-year-old state assemblyman won over voters after running a grassroots campaign on housing and transportation affordability, while the ex-governor ran fear-based TV ads funded by big-dollar donations.

Though Cuomo was criticised for aspects of his campaign many saw as racist, such as a photo of Mamdani that thickened his beard, the most potent attacks against him seemed to be reserved for after the election results.

Shortly after Cuomo's concession speech, conservative media personality Charlie Kirk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "24 years ago, a group of Muslims killed 2,753 people on 9/11. Now a Muslim socialist is on pace to run New York City."

He was swiftly called out by others on the social media platform, with some urging him to remove it. Instead, he doubled down, saying that major cities in the West have been taken over and ruined by immigrants.

He and many others on the political right have highlighted the phrase "Globalise the Intifada", something that Mamdani was asked about on the campaign trail, to which he responded that people have different interpretations of the expression and that some could see it as advocating for equality.

US President Donald Trump predictably weighed in the next day, writing on his social media platform Truth Social, "It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous."

He continued, "He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, 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!"

In his rant, Trump repeated a recurring 'insult' of calling Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer "a Palestinian." This appears to be a way of trying to guilt-trip the most senior Jew in Congress into supporting his far-right agenda, including his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Schumer, for his part, congratulated Mamdani Wednesday morning but stopped short of endorsing him.

"I have known Zohran Mamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity," Schumer wrote on X, adding that he has spoken with him and looks forward to meeting with him soon.

One definitive endorsement on Wednesday came from New York Congressman Jerry Nadler, who told The New York Times, "Voters in New York City demanded change and, with Zohran's triumph, we have a direct repudiation of Donald Trump's politics of tax cuts and authoritarianism."

He added, "I've spoken to him today about his commitment to fighting antisemitism, and we’ll work with all New Yorkers to fight against all bigotry and hate," Nadler said, according to the Times."

While many in Mamdani's camp are celebrating the political newcomer's breakout performance in the Democratic primary, the antagonism against him by Republicans and some in his own party's establishment can't be overlooked.

Current New York Mayor Eric Adams is already campaigning on the backs of Mamdani's detractors, and an independent run by Cuomo in the general election can't yet be ruled out.