In his first appearance on Fox News, Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zahran Mamdani used the interview to deliver a direct message to former President Donald Trump, who had previously called him a “communist” and questioned his professional experience.
The interview, aired on The Story with Martha MacCallum, took place one day before the first public mayoral debate. Mamdani is scheduled to face former Governor Andrew Cuomo (Independent) and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in a highly anticipated race leading up to the November 4 election.
Responding to Trump’s claim that he “never worked a day in his life,” Mamdani looked into the camera and said:
“I will not be a mayor like Eric Adams who calls you to ask how to stay out of jail, nor a humiliated governor like Andrew Cuomo who calls to ask how to win this election… I can handle these matters on my own.”
He added:“I will be a mayor ready to fight for lower living costs. That is how I will lead this city.”
Mamdani Faces Critics Head-On on Fox News
Known for his Democratic Socialist leanings, Mamdani sought to preempt expected attacks from opponents by publicly apologizing to NYPD officers for past posts in which he described them as “racist” and “evil” during the George Floyd protests of 2020.
He also reiterated his pledge to direct the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the city, stating he would “explore all legal options” to enforce such an action.
When asked by host Martha MacCallum about the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement and whether Hamas should disarm, Mamdani avoided a direct answer, saying:“I don’t have a personal opinion on the future of Hamas and Israel, except regarding justice, safety, and adherence to international law. This applies to Hamas as well as the Israeli military.”
Mamdani’s appearance on Fox News — a network that has often criticized him — is a bold move in his campaign. It demonstrates his willingness to confront political opponents directly, even addressing the President himself on camera.