New Yorkers Asked About Race
New Yorkers are voicing clear and sharp opposition to Zohran Mamdani, the self-described socialist who recently secured a Democratic primary victory in New York State.
In a series of street interviews aired Wednesday on Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus, not a single respondent expressed support for Mamdani’s far-left platform — a warning sign for Democrats ahead of a contentious November election.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman known for pushing a slate of progressive policies — including government-run grocery stores and expanded taxpayer-funded programs — will face off against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams in the general election. But if public sentiment gathered in the streets of New York City is any indication, Mamdani faces significant resistance.
“I just think Mamdani would be terrible for the city,” one man told Fox News. “It would implode the city.” Another stated plainly, “I don’t support him. I think he’s too radical.”
We asked people in NYC what they think of Zohran Mamdani and his far-left agenda. The answers speak volumes. ️ pic.twitter.com/1St6QsxXjr
— The Faulkner Focus (@FaulknerFocus) July 16, 2025
Others pointed to his economic proposals. “Government-run grocery stores — that’s ridiculous. That’s what they do in communist countries,” said a man who voiced hope that either Adams or Cuomo prevails. A woman criticized Mamdani’s promises of free services: “He thinks he’s gonna give everything free. Where’s the money gonna come from?”
The visceral responses reflect deeper concerns within the Democratic Party itself. While Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has publicly embraced Mamdani and introduced him to congressional colleagues in Washington, D.C. this week, prominent Democratic leaders are keeping their distance.
Neither Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer nor House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed Mamdani. According to reports, both have meetings scheduled with the candidate but have withheld public support.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), a centrist Democrat, has openly criticized Mamdani, while longtime strategist James Carville has warned the party that Mamdani’s rise represents a “potentially damaging event.”