Zohran Mamdani Knows He Has Political Capital. He Intends to Spend It. | The Interview

From Lulu Garcia-Navarro: Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City is riding high. In an era when the public is sour on politics, recent polls show him actually becoming more popular among New Yorkers. It’s fair to say that some of that is vibes: As the Knicks won the N.B.A. championship, Mamdani became one of the team’s main hype men, basking in the reflected glow of their victory; the World Cup has been a raging success with New York City awash with celebrating fans; Taylor Swift got married in a secret celebration in the most visible of New York venues.

As his star rises, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has also been flexing his political power in new ways — his endorsement of three progressive candidates for the House of Representatives gave them the edge against establishment-backed incumbents and contenders, and cemented his role as a kingmaker in the Democratic Party. Mamdani, of course, also has many detractors, on the right but also among Democratic leaders in Washington who worry about his influence and his aims in pulling the party further to the left.

I sat down with Mamdani earlier this week to talk about what has turned out to be a fascinating, and controversial, experiment in what democratic socialist governance can do in America’s most important capitalist city.

[00:00:00] Mamdani's first 6 months as mayor of NYC

[00:01:55] Donald Trump’s social post

[00:04:13] Political violence and security concerns

[00:07:09] Recent political endorsements and victories

[00:11:10] 2028 and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

[00:15:06] Endorsing Darializa Avila Chevalier over Adriano Espaillat

[00:17:16] The need for moral clarity on funding Israel’s military

[00:18:31] “There is no respite from a genocide”

[00:20:31] Is opposition to the Gaza war a litmus test?

[00:25:29] What if Netanyahu visits New York City?

[00:27:52] What border policy should America have?

[00:32:49] Mamdani's achievements on childcare, rent freezes and more

[00:36:29] New York's economy

[00:41:39] Policing, crime and Commissioner Tisch

[00:48:43] How do you define the working class?

[00:51:00] Taxing the wealthy

[00:53:22] Graham Platner and political vetting

[00:55:06] Who belongs in the Democratic coalition?

[00:56:13] Traits that make a good politician

[01:00:18] How he and his wife, Rama Duaji, are doing

“The Interview” features conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Each week, co-hosts David Marchese and Lulu Garcia-Navarro talk to compelling, influential figures in culture, politics, business, sports and beyond — illuminating who they are, why they do what they do and how they impact the rest of us.

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