Indian-origin New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has strongly responded to former President Donald Trump’s deportation remarks, accusing him of “fanning the flames of division” to divert attention from his administration’s failures. The 33-year-old Democrat and self-described democratic socialist said Trump’s attacks were a calculated distraction from policies that harm working-class Americans.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Mamdani declared he would not back down and vowed to “fight back” against Republican opposition. “Yesterday, Donald Trump said I should be arrested, deported, and even denaturalised,” Mamdani said during a fiery speech at the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council headquarters in New York.
“He said those things about me—not just as a political opponent—but as someone who stands to become the first immigrant mayor in generations, and potentially the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in New York City’s history,” he stated.
Mamdani emphasized that the attacks were not just about his identity but about the policies he supports. “It is not merely about who I am, where I come from, or how I look and speak. It’s about the fact that I fight for working people. That’s what Trump wants to distract from.”
Following his unexpected victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, Mamdani has become a focal point of Republican criticism, with Trump labeling him a “communist” and a “lunatic.” The attacks have extended beyond policy, with Trump taking aim at Mamdani’s background and physical appearance.
Trump, in a Truth Social post, escalated his rhetoric:
“As President of the United States, I’m not going to let this Communist Lunatic destroy New York. Rest assured, I hold all the levers and have all the cards. I’ll save New York City and make it ‘Hot’ and ‘Great’ again, just like I did with the Good Ol’ USA!”
In response, Mamdani said Trump’s inflammatory remarks were a deliberate smokescreen to distract from the consequences of his policies. “Ultimately, it’s easier for him to sow division than to admit he has betrayed working-class Americans—not just in this city but across the country,” he said.
Mamdani also criticized Trump’s flagship tax and spending legislation—titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—currently pending a crucial vote in Congress. According to Mamdani, the bill “will quite literally take healthcare away from Americans,” and worsen wealth inequality.
“Trump would rather attack me than discuss this legislation, which steals food from the hungry and builds upon one of the largest wealth transfers in modern U.S. history,” Mamdani charged.
Republican leaders in Congress, meanwhile, are struggling to rally support for the bill amid growing resistance from within their own party. The legislation has sparked concerns about its impact on the national debt and its sweeping cuts to social welfare programs.
Despite the political storm, Mamdani remains resolute. His message: he’s not just running to make history—he’s running to protect the future of America’s working class.
