New York Mayoral Election 2025 Live: ‘And so it begins,’ Trump says in response to Mamdani’s 'turn the volume up'

Zohran Mamdani, 34, was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, marking a rapid rise for the state lawmaker who is now set to become the city's most progressive leader in decades. The Indian-origin Democrat defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, securing a decisive win for the Democratic Party's progressive wing. Read more

President Trump repeatedly targeted Zohran Mamdani during the campaign, calling him “far worse than a socialist” and warning federal funds could be “wasted” under his leadership. Legal experts note that Congress, not the president, controls federal funding, and past attempts to block city grants faced constitutional and procedural limits. (read more)

Newly elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani directly challenged US President Donald Trump in his victory speech, declaring, “Turn the volume up. To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” Trump responded on social media, blaming election losses on the government shutdown and insisting he wasn’t on the ballot. Mamdani’s win, over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, marks a historic shift in New York politics, with record voter turnout exceeding 2 million ballots.

In an electrifying 30-minute victory speech, newly elected Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani celebrated a historic political shift, declaring New York City, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and now led by an immigrant, ready for a new era following his 2025 mayoral win. Read more

Zohran Mamdani has pulled off one of the most remarkable political upsets in New York’s history by defeating heavyweights like former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa to become the city’s youngest mayor in over a century and the first ever Muslim-American to hold the post.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist of Indian-origin, defied all the odds in the November 4 election and marked a generational and ideological shift in America’s largest city. “Friends, we have toppled a political dynasty," he proclaimed after the victory, signalling a mandate for a new kind of politics.

Here are five key reasons behind Mamdani's historic victory

Zohran Mamdani, who once described himself as "Donald Trump's worst nightmare," lived up to that claim with a historic landslide victory in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani also directly challenged US President Donald Trump, who had previously threatened to cut federal funds to the city, delivering a pointed message in his victory speech: “Turn the volume up.”

Eschewing traditional strategies, Mamdani’s team took cues from leaders like Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, building direct relationships with voters through grassroots events, limited-edition merchandise, and volunteer-driven campaigns.

34-year-old Zohran Mamdani has scripted history as he emerged victorious in the closely-watched battle for New York City mayor. The far-left state lawmaker vowed to overhaul city government, champion working-class interests, and stand firm against the Trump administration.

By defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, Zohran Mamdani delivered a decisive victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Mamdani’s stunning rise in New York politics has fuelled a new debate among supporters and opponents alike: Is a presidential run even possible for him? Read more

Addressing his supporters after winning the New York Mayoral polls, Democrat Zohran Mamdani quoted the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in his victory speech.

Mamdani invoked Nehru’s words from his famous ‘Tryst with Destiny’ address -- “A moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.” He added, “Tonight, we have stepped from the old into the new.” Read more

New York City’s elite threw everything at Zohran Mamdani to stop him from becoming mayor: Money, insults, scare tactics, and tweets.

The democratic socialist’s wealthy antagonists had decried his ascendance as the start of “hot commie summer.” Bill Ackman’s attacks were so relentless, Mamdani quipped on the Flagrant podcast last month: “He’s spending more money against me than I would even tax him.”

But on Tuesday, Mamdani triumphed with a decisive victory in the New York City mayoral election. And that prompted a conciliatory message from Ackman.

Democrats swept a trio of races on Tuesday in the first major elections since Donald Trump regained the presidency, elevating a new generation of leaders and giving the beleaguered party a shot of momentum ahead of next year's congressional elections.

In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, won the mayoral race, capping a meteoric and unlikely rise from an anonymous state lawmaker to one of the country's most visible Democratic figures. And in Virginia and New Jersey, moderate Democrats Abigail Spanberger, 46, and Mikie Sherrill, 53, won their elections for governor with commanding leads, respectively.

Zohran Mamdani captured the New York City mayoralty in an election that produced the highest turnout in more than half a century, with over 2 million votes counted Tuesday, according to the city’s Board of Elections.

That total includes about 735,000 cast during the early voting period and 102,000 mail-in ballots.

New York City’s turnout is reversing a long downward trend in declining voter participation. Turnout in the 2025 general election is the highest number of voters since 1969 and the highest percentage – 38% – of eligible voter turnout since 2001.

“Anyone can show a nation betrayed by him. It is the city that gave rise to him. If there is any way to rectify the divide, it is by dismantling the conditions that allowed him to accumulate power.

Trump, I know you’re watching. Four words for you: turn the volume up.

We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to exploit tax breaks. We will expand labor protections, just as Donald Trump does for himself.

New York will remain a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.

Hear me, President Trump: to get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”

“‘A moment comes, rarely in history, when we step out from the old into the new, when an age ends, and the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance,’” Zohran Mamdani said, quoting former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in his victory speech. He added, “Tonight, we have stepped from the old into the new.”

“I have asked much from you over this past year, one final request: breathe this moment. We’ve held our breath for too long. Today, New York is reborn, a city where working people can love and live again,” Zohran Mamdani said, vowing to make the city affordable for all.

“Toppled a political dynasty. The future is in our hands. As for Andrew Cuomo, I wish him only the best in private life. Today is the final time I utter his name,” says Zohran Mamdani after wining.

“It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win,” the former Democratic president wrote on social media.

After Democrats scored resounding wins in Tuesday’s election, Obama added, “We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.”Barack Obama says ‘the future looks a little bit brighter’ after Democratic wins

Zohran Mamdani celebrates historic NYC mayoral win with viral ‘City Hall’ video post

Trump blames shutdown for GOP losses as Democrats win big in NYC and key states: ‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ he says

The first batch of New York City mayoral election results shows Democrat Zohran Mamdani leading by wide margins in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, while Andrew M. Cuomo holds an edge in Staten Island. Early results show Mamdani securing 51.5% of the vote (422,116 ballots) compared to Cuomo’s 39.7% (324,914). The results, reported shortly after 9 p.m., are based largely on early votes cast during the city’s two-week early voting period.

Aftab Pureval has been re-elected as Cincinnati’s mayor, defeating Republican Cory Bowman, the half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance. Pureval, who earlier won over 80% in the city’s primary, continues his tenure after first making history as Cincinnati’s first Asian-American mayor. (read more)

Democrat Jay Jones defeated incumbent Jason Miyares to become Virginia’s attorney general, overcoming backlash over resurfaced 2022 text messages. The former state delegate secured a decisive win in one of the state’s most closely watched races.

Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani said he would not be intimidated by President Donald Trump’s warnings about cutting federal funding to New York if he becomes mayor. “There are many things that he will say and that he will do that will not actually bear out in the results within our own city. I will treat his threats as they deserve to be treated, which are the words,” Mamdani said.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to make history as Virginia’s first female governor and give her party a major boost ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli to become New Jersey’s next governor. A former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, Sherrill will be the state’s second female governor and the first Democratic woman to hold the office.

Polls have closed in Virginia, where Abigail Spanberger, the former Democratic congresswoman who is the party’s nominee for governor, and the Republican Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears are locked in a competitive race for governor.

A new year will bring a new mayor to New York City, with the winner set to be sworn into office on January 1, 2026.

1.45 million voters have participated in the NYC mayoral election so far. Latest figures reported as of 3 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT), according to data released by the New York City Board of Elections.

More than 1.1 million people have cast their votes so far in the NYC mayoral election, with some analysts saying that the total could approach two million by the time polls close, according to NYC Board of Elections.

New York Mayor Election Live: Is Mamdani set for big win?

Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized the New York City ballot form on X, stating, “The New York City ballot form is a scam! – No ID is required – Other mayoral candidates appear twice Cuomo’s name is last in bottom right.”

Polls are open in New York City from 6am until 9pm local time. The first results will come in shortly after the polls close and will continue to come in throughout the night. In 2021, most of the votes were counted before midnight, and the Associated Press declared Eric Adams the winner around midnight.

When asked by a reporter today about Donald Trump’s comments on Truth Social that he plans to limit federal funds to New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins, the Democratic nominee said that he “will treat his threats as they deserve to be treated, which are the words of a president and not necessarily the law of the land”.

“I will not be intimidated by this president. I will not be intimidated by anyone, because my job here is to serve the people of the city,” he added.

President Donald Trump on Monday smeared Zohran Mamdani, who is vying to become New York's first Muslim mayor, as a "Jew hater" that Jews should not vote for. "Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!" the Republican president posted on his social media platform.

The closely watched New York City mayoral race is finally coming to an end, with Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani competing with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Polling is currently underway in NYC. The first results will come in shortly after the polls close and will continue to come in throughout the night.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani cast his ballot with his wife and spoke to reporters afterward to thank supporters and send a closing election message.