Zohran Mamdani's four-word warning for POTUS: 'Trump, I know you’re watching...'

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani, 34, has made history by winning the New York City mayoral election, becoming the first Muslim to lead the largest city in the United States.

The self-described democratic socialist, who was relatively unknown just months ago, surged to victory on a platform centered on taxing millionaires to fund expanded social programs.

"In this moment of darkness, New York will be the light," Mamdani declared in his victory speech, where he laid out his policy priorities and issued a direct challenge to President Trump.

In a sharp rebuke to the US President, Mamdani said, "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."

He went on to outline his vision for a corruption-free New York. "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."

Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report showed how the 2025 New York poll has been monumental in terms of sheer scale of voter turnout. The New York City mayoralty election 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.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)