Mamdani and His Anti-Trump Formula*
New York’s mayor-elect is the perfect poster child for everything that fires up the radical right: cosmopolitan, college-educated, “woke” and a Muslim immigrant.
As a liberal, I’m suspicious of Zohran Mamdani. I’m doubtful about whether the recently elected mayor of New York is the best antidote to Trumpism or its biggest energizer. At Republican headquarters, there is a coming together of those frightened by the shockwave Mamdani caused and those who are rubbing their hands together at a politician who is the perfect poster child for everything that fires up the radical right: cosmopolitan, college-educated, “woke” and a Muslim immigrant who wants to raise taxes and control the price of vegetables and rent.
Before uncorking the champagne (or chai latte), liberal strategists, both inside and outside of the U.S., should distinguish the elections’ useful lessons from dangerous temptations. Mamdani has virtues and flaws both in his political personality and in his program.
On a personal level, the valuable thing about him isn’t what he symbolizes — and what people emphasize about him the most, that he’s the voice of the marginalized — but rather what he does: Mamdani is a genius at communication. In the current political landscape, the key is to reach as many people as possible in the most direct way. That’s Donald Trump’s secret. And Mamdani, through his masterly use of social media, was able to appear on our phone and TV screens, from New York to Valdemorillo [in Spain]. It is even hard for experts to understand his success. He doesn’t appear to follow any particular strategy in using modern technology — hundreds if not thousands of young people have been trying to do the same for years — instead, he exploits the oldest leadership characteristic since the Greek polis: charisma.
But Mamdani isn’t a symbol for marginalized groups. The son of well-known intellectuals and an alumnus of the most exclusive schools, it’s more implausible for Mamdani to present as the champion of the working class than even Trump. Both are New York politicians from good stock, and, while Trump’s parents were richer, Mamdani’s had a higher level of education – which usually determines how things will go for you.
On a policy level, the contrary is true: the outstanding thing about Mamdani isn’t what he stands for but what he does. His platform proposals are questionable (such as rent control) and expensive (such as free public transport and preschool), but they represent what is truly important to America (and to Europe): affordability. Life is priceless. And Mamdani’s intuition is invaluable.
*Editor’s note: This commentary is available In its original language through a paid subscription.
As a liberal, I’m suspicious of Zohran Mamdani. I’m doubtful about whether the recently elected mayor of New York is the best antidote to Trumpism or its biggest energizer. At Republican headquarters, there is a coming together of those frightened by the shockwave Mamdani caused and those who are rubbing their hands together at a politician who is the perfect poster child for everything that fires up the radical right: cosmopolitan, college-educated, “woke” and a Muslim immigrant who wants to raise taxes and control the price of vegetables and rent.
Before uncorking the champagne (or chai latte), liberal strategists, both inside and outside of the U.S., should distinguish the elections’ useful lessons from dangerous temptations. Mamdani has virtues and flaws both in his political personality and in his program.
On a personal level, the valuable thing about him isn’t what he symbolizes — and what people emphasize about him the most, that he’s the voice of the marginalized — but rather what he does: Mamdani is a genius at communication. In the current political landscape, the key is to reach as many people as possible in the most direct way. That’s Donald Trump’s secret. And Mamdani, through his masterly use of social media, was able to appear on our phone and TV screens, from New York to Valdemorillo [in Spain]. It is even hard for experts to understand his success. He doesn’t appear to follow any particular strategy in using modern technology — hundreds if not thousands of young people have been trying to do the same for years — instead, he exploits the oldest leadership characteristic since the Greek polis: charisma.
But Mamdani isn’t a symbol for marginalized groups. The son of well-known intellectuals and an alumnus of the most exclusive schools, it’s more implausible for Mamdani to present as the champion of the working class than even Trump. Both are New York politicians from good stock, and, while Trump’s parents were richer, Mamdani’s had a higher level of education – which usually determines how things will go for you.
On a policy level, the contrary is true: the outstanding thing about Mamdani isn’t what he stands for but what he does. His platform proposals are questionable (such as rent control) and expensive (such as free public transport and preschool), but they represent what is truly important to America (and to Europe): affordability. Life is priceless. And Mamdani’s intuition is invaluable.
*Editor’s note: This commentary is available In its original language through a paid subscription.
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