A ‘Communist Lunatic’
Trump Targets NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani, Vows to “Save” City from Socialist Agenda
By: Staff Writer | July 8, 2025 | New York City
Former President Donald Trump issued a fiery statement on social media platform X this week, vowing to block what he called a “Communist Lunatic” from “destroying New York.” In a clear reference to Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, Trump claimed he held “all the levers” necessary to prevent Mamdani’s rise and pledged to make New York “Hot” and “Great” again.
The former president also floated the idea of investigating Mamdani’s legal status and suggested that interference with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city could lead to the mayoral hopeful’s arrest.
A Surging Candidacy Draws Republican Ire
Mamdani, 33, sent shockwaves through political circles after winning the Democratic primary for New York City mayor last month. Once a relatively low-profile figure in the state assembly, the Democratic Socialist’s victory has stirred anxiety across party lines, especially among Republicans who view him as a symbol of a leftward shift in urban politics.
His campaign has focused heavily on economic and racial justice, with a platform that seeks to overhaul the city’s housing and tax systems.
Property Tax Proposal Sparks Controversy
One of Mamdani’s most debated proposals involves reforming the city’s property tax system, which he claims unfairly favors wealthy, predominantly White homeowners in areas like Manhattan and upper Brooklyn. His campaign’s “Stop the Squeeze on NYC Homeowners” plan argues that outdated assessment caps allow those in affluent neighborhoods to pay disproportionately low taxes, while working-class families in outer boroughs like Queens and the Bronx face higher rates and greater risk of foreclosure.
To correct this imbalance, Mamdani proposes shifting the tax burden to higher-value properties in affluent neighborhoods, thereby reducing bills for lower-income households.
Addressing Racial Disparities in Homeownership
Mamdani’s campaign also sheds light on racial disparities in homeownership, particularly around issues like deed theft and “tangled titles”—legal situations where residents live in inherited homes but lack proper documentation to prove ownership. The campaign points out that these challenges are especially prevalent in Black communities.
To address this, Mamdani advocates for a $10 million “Tangled Title Fund,” which would provide legal aid to help families secure rightful ownership and property benefits.
Ambitious Housing Plans and Rent Freeze Proposal
Mamdani’s housing agenda includes constructing 200,000 publicly funded affordable units and immediately freezing rents across the city for over 2 million tenants. He proposes long-term rent control measures and expanded public housing investments.
His campaign pledges to abolish New York’s current tax lien auction system, which allows the city to sell off unpaid property tax debt to private investment groups. Critics have long argued that the system disproportionately affects homeowners of color and contributes to displacement. Mamdani says he would eliminate the program on his first day in office and introduce a more compassionate debt collection framework.
A Polarizing Vision for the City’s Future
As a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani’s platform positions racial and economic justice at the core of city governance. His campaign preamble calls for the dismantling of white supremacy and asserts that this effort benefits all working-class people, including White workers.
While his proposals have energized progressive voters, critics—especially on the right—warn that his policies could destabilize the city’s economy, housing market, and law enforcement priorities.
Despite backlash, Mamdani’s campaign remains firm: “A fairer, more equitable New York is possible—but only if we have the courage to challenge a system that was never built for all of us.”