White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tore into New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Monday, calling him a dangerous example of the Democratic Party’s shift toward radicalism.
Mamdani, a self-described “Democratic Socialist,” recently defeated disgraced ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary — but his win is rattling even some within his own party.
“The Democrats are doubling down on craziness and radical policies that are undermining the very fabric of our country,” Leavitt said at the briefing. “Just look at their nominee for New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.”
She didn’t hold back. “He’s a Democrat Socialist — really a communist — who wants to defund the police, supports pro-Hamas groups, peddles antisemitism, and thinks wealthy Americans should not exist,” she added. “Those are his own words — just this weekend.”
Leavitt pointed to Mamdani’s interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, where he refused multiple times to condemn the violent phrase “globalize the intifada.” Host Kristen Welker explained the phrase calls for attacks against Jews, but Mamdani brushed it off.
“I’m not here to police people’s language,” Mamdani said, dodging the question three times.
His refusal to distance himself from antisemitic rhetoric — and his long history of backing anti-Israel boycotts — has even some Democrats nervous.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told ABC’s Jonathan Karl on This Week that Mamdani’s comments are troubling. “Globalizing the Intifada, by way of example, is not an acceptable phrasing,” Jeffries said. “He needs to clarify his position.”
Jeffries said Mamdani must prove to Jewish voters that he’s serious about fighting antisemitism in New York — a city where hate crimes have been surging in recent years.