Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory in New York City’s Democratic Party mayoral primary has President Donald Trump licking his chops. The June 24 win, with Mamdani securing 43.5% of first-choice votes, signals a hard-left lurch for Democrats. Trump is already plotting to exploit this progressive overreach, as the Daily Caller reports.
Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, clinched the nomination over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who trailed with 36.3% of first-choice votes. Ranked-choice voting results, which are only partially reported, suggest that Mamdani’s lead will solidify when the final tallies are released.
Trump, never one to miss a political opening, blasted Mamdani on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. His fiery rhetoric paints the nominee as a radical liability for Democrats. The strategy? Make Mamdani a lightning rod for 2026.
Political analyst Mark Halperin, on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, noted Trump’s glee. “Donald Trump wants to make him the co-star of this ongoing drama,” Halperin said. That’s code for turning Mamdani into a progressive piñata.
Halperin’s take exposes the Democrats’ dilemma. Mamdani’s nomination highlights their internal fractures, with moderates squirming at his far-left agenda. Trump is betting this divide will cripple their 2026 prospects.
The ranked-choice voting process, still unfolding, keeps the spotlight on Mamdani. Halperin predicted, “Tomorrow, we’re expecting the full results, and I imagine his lead will grow.” That’s when the real fireworks begin.
Big-name Democrats such as Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are conspicuously mum on Mamdani. Their silence screams discomfort with his radical platform. It’s a political dodge Trump’s eager to pounce on.
Halperin pointed out the awkwardness: “Very few Democratic elected officials, including Chuck Schumer, including Hakeem Jeffries, have endorsed.” He’s right -- how do you snub your own nominee without handing Trump ammunition?
Dan Turrentine, on The Ingraham Angle, echoed this tension. “They know that their members, Democrats in the House and the Senate, are going to have to answer for this guy,” he told Laura Ingraham. Democrats are stuck between a rock and a socialist.
Trump’s plan is clear: make Mamdani the face of Democratic Party excess. By tying him to figures like AOC, he’ll paint the party as hostage to its woke wing. It’s a classic divide-and-conquer move.
Halperin’s quip about AOC’s next move -- “I’m interested to see what AOC and others say to them” -- hints at the pressure on progressives. If they embrace Mamdani, Trump wins. If they don’t, the party implodes.
Turrentine nailed the Democrats’ bind: “Do they endorse him, or do they just remain silent?” Either way, Trump’s ready to twist the knife, forcing them to own Mamdani’s baggage.
The ranked-choice voting delay adds fuel to Trump’s fire. Only first-choice results are out, leaving Democrats sweating the final count. Mamdani’s likely confirmation as nominee will only sharpen Trump’s attacks.
Trump’s Sunday show tirade against Mamdani was no accident. He’s framing the socialist as a gift-wrapped opportunity to rally his base. The more Democrats squirm, the louder he’ll crow.
Mamdani’s 43.5% win over Cuomo’s 36.3% is a wake-up call. Democrats’ failure to unite behind their nominee hands Trump a megaphone. His 2026 strategy is already taking shape, and Mamdani is the perfect foil.
