Following his historic election as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani faces a severe threat from the President of the United States, who seeks to revoke his citizenship. Mamdani, 34, decisively won the election on November 4, 2025, defeating independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

His victory marks several firsts: he will be the city’s first Muslim, South Asian, African-born, and Millennial mayor. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, ran on a progressive platform addressing affordability, including free public buses and universal childcare.

The backlash began during his campaign. After Mamdani pledged to limit ICE’s operations in the city, President Trump threatened to have him arrested. Trump also promoted baseless claims that Mamdani is in the country unlawfully.

Mamdani responded defiantly on social media, calling the president’s threat an attack on democracy and an attempt to intimidate his supporters. He vowed not to be silenced.

As the election neared, Trump escalated his rhetoric on Truth Social, labeling Mamdani a “communist” and vowing to withhold federal funds from New York City if he won.

The attacks grew darker when Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles called for Mamdani’s citizenship to be stripped, accusing him of lying on his naturalization application. Legal experts were quick to note there is no evidence for this and that revoking citizenship is a complex judicial process.

Despite the intense political threats, Mamdani remains resolute. On election night, he declared that his opponents would have to “get through all of us,” signaling his readiness for the challenges ahead as he prepares to take office.