Mamdani Directly Addresses Trump During Fox news Interview, Pledges focus on NYC Cost of Living
NEW YORK – During a heated interview on Fox News, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani turned directly to the camera to address former President Donald Trump, distinguishing his leadership style from both current Mayor Eric Adams and disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani asserted he would not be a mayor seeking assistance to avoid legal trouble, referencing Adams, nor would he solicit election advice, alluding to Cuomo’s past. Instead, he pledged a singular focus on alleviating the financial burdens facing New Yorkers.
“I won’t be a mayor like Mayor [Eric] Adams who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail,” Mamdani stated. “I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo who will call you to ask how to win this election. I can do those things on my own. I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living.That’s the way that I’m going to led the city.” This direct address comes as Mamdani attempts to carve out a distinct identity in a crowded mayoral race, emphasizing a commitment to practical issues over political maneuvering.
The interview also saw Mamdani preemptively address past controversies, including a years-old apology to the New York Police Department for prior social media posts labeling officers as “racist” and “wicked,” comments made in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd protests. He reaffirmed a controversial pledge to attempt the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York City, stating he would ”exhaust every legal option” to do so.
Further pressed by Fox News host Bret MacCallum on the recent Gaza ceasefire and the role of Hamas, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization, Mamdani declined to offer an opinion on whether Hamas should disarm. “I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety and the fact that anything has to abide by international law,” he said. “That applies to Hamas,that applies to Israeli military,applies to anyone you could ask for.”
