The latest buzz around New York City’s mayoral race took a wild turn Monday when Fox News reporter Peter Doocy fired off some spicy questions to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The focus? Zohran Mamdani, the rising Democratic star who just clinched the NYC mayoral primary and who’s now facing some serious heat from the right.
Doocy didn’t hold back. He asked point-blank if President Donald Trump would attempt to deport Mamdani, digging into far-right Rep. Andy Ogles’ (R-Tenn.) controversial push to have Mamdani stripped of his citizenship. The claim? That Mamdani allegedly hid extremist pro-terrorism views based on some rap lyrics he wrote years ago. Yeah, you read that right — rap lyrics from the past are being used as ammunition to question his patriotism and loyalty. It’s a heavy charge that’s obviously raising eyebrows, especially among Mamdani’s supporters.
Why all this heat on Mamdani? It seems the attacks have ramped up since he pulled off a stunning upset against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, positioning himself as a top contender for the November election. Mamdani’s platform is bold and progressive — calling for rent freezes, city-owned grocery stores, and subsidized child care — ideas that resonated with a lot of New Yorkers looking for change.
During the exchange, Doocy pressed Leavitt about whether Trump himself wants Mamdani deported.
Leavitt gave a subtle smile before answering, “I haven’t heard him say that, I haven’t heard him call for that, but certainly he does not want this individual to be elected.” She went on to say she recently spoke with Trump about Mamdani’s “radical policies,” which she claims would “completely crush New York City” — a city the president apparently “holds near and dear to his heart.”
Cue the dramatic tension. The White House is clearly throwing shade on Mamdani, framing him as a dangerous radical, even though deportation is off the table, at least officially.
But Doocy wasn’t done stirring the pot. He brought up Rep. Ogles’ aggressive move, asking if Trump thinks it’s a worthy use of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s time to pursue this investigation into Mamdani. Leavitt dodged direct comment but left the door open: “I have not seen those claims, but surely if they are true, it’s something that should be investigated.”
Now here’s where things get really interesting: Doocy referenced a moment from NBC’s “Meet the Press” where Mamdani hesitated to outright condemn the Palestinian rallying cry, “globalize the intifada.” This phrase, loaded with political and emotional weight, caught the attention of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who called on Mamdani for an explanation. Mamdani maintained there’s no room for antisemitism in New York City, but the ambiguity didn’t stop critics from pressing further.
Leavitt used that hesitation to paint Mamdani in an even harsher light, leaning into the White House’s narrative. When asked if Trump could see himself working with Mayor Mamdani, Leavitt said:
“Yeah, look, the president is always willing to work with everyone. He’s working with Democrats across the country, Democrat governors. And he said he’ll work with people on the far left. He works with Republicans. He works with people in the middle. He wants to do what’s right for America. But surely someone who holds these values and is quite literally a communist, and condemns every value that makes this country great — common sense, law and order, low taxes, working hard and earning your keep — he’s against all of that.”
She added that Trump would likely find it “difficult to work with someone like that,” and hinted we might hear more from the president on Mamdani if he wins. “Hopefully, the voters of New York City choose wisely,” she concluded.
What’s Really Going On Here?
This whole exchange shines a spotlight on the political drama unfolding in NYC’s mayoral race, but it’s also a prime example of how divisive and charged politics have become nationwide.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
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Zohran Mamdani’s Platform: He’s a progressive Democrat who’s struck a chord with voters by pushing for rent freezes (which could shake up landlords), city-owned grocery stores (a novel approach to food security), and subsidized child care (helping working families). These ideas challenge the status quo and attract both enthusiasm and fierce opposition.
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The Deportation Rumor: The claim that Mamdani should be denaturalized and deported over lyrics he wrote years ago? It feels more like a political attack than a legal argument, given there’s no clear precedent for rap lyrics as grounds for citizenship revocation. This tactic seems aimed at sowing doubt and fear among voters.
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The Role of Far-Right Politicians: Rep. Andy Ogles is a key figure pushing this investigation, showing how far-right lawmakers are zeroing in on progressive figures. This case reflects broader tensions between political factions nationwide.
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White House Strategy: Leavitt’s responses walk a fine line — not outright endorsing deportation but criticizing Mamdani’s “radical” views and warning of negative consequences for NYC. The White House seems focused on framing Mamdani as an extremist whose policies would “crush” the city.
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The Palestinian Rallying Phrase: Mamdani’s hesitation on condemning “globalize the intifada” sparked criticism, with some seeing it as a failure to fully denounce a controversial slogan. It’s a reminder that mayoral candidates face scrutiny on even the most sensitive international issues.
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Trump’s Willingness to Work Across the Aisle? Leavitt emphasizes Trump’s supposed openness to working with Democrats and people from all political stripes, but quickly undercuts that by calling Mamdani a communist and essentially ruling out cooperation with him.
What’s Next?
The stage is set for a fiercely contested November election, with Mamdani representing a wave of progressive energy in NYC politics, while opponents on the right are pulling out all the stops to stop his momentum.
New Yorkers will have a big decision: embrace the progressive change Mamdani promises or stick with more traditional approaches and politicians.
Meanwhile, the national spotlight will be watching closely. This race isn’t just about New York City — it’s a symbol of the broader political battles shaping America’s future.
Final Thoughts
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Is Mamdani’s platform practical or too radical?
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Will these attempts to discredit him with deportation claims backfire by energizing his base?
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Can Trump and Mamdani find common ground if he wins? (Leavitt seems skeptical.)
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How much do international issues, like the “intifada” phrase, really matter in a city mayor’s race?
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