Zohran Mamdani Directly Challenges Donald Trump In Fiery Victory Speech

The new mayor-elect of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, did not waste any time. “The sun may have set over our city this evening,” he began his victory speech on Tuesday night, “but as Eugene Debs once said, I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.”The immediate name-check of the famous socialist, political candidate and labour activist who ran for president while in prison for political dissent, was maybe not standard fare for a candidate’s victory speech. But it was just the start for Mamdani, the democratic socialist who ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of affordability that included services such as free buses, rent freezes, and universal child care. As he noted in his speech, he never apologised for his stances.Instead, he issued a challenge to President Donald Trump and to the broader political status quo.“If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him,” Mamdani said. “And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This is not only how we stop Trump, it is how we stop the next one.”“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching. I have four words for you: Turn the volume up,” Mamdani added, enunciating each word.The Trump administration has been turning the screws on Democratic-run cities, including by sending troops and federal agents into blue cities to conduct massive immigration raids. The result has been an environment of fear for immigrants, US citizens being caught up in the raids and officials clashing with protesters who attempt to speak out about the policies.Trump has repeatedly attacked Mamdani, characterising him as an extremist, a communist and an antisemite — and threatening to cut funding to New York City if Mamdani were elected.“New York will remain a city of immigrants, built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” Mamdani said Tuesday night. “So hear me, President Trump, when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us. When we enter City Hall in 58 days, expectations will be high. We will meet them.”He also took aim at the political structures of New York, noting the underdog nature of his campaign: He rose from a little-known New York state assemblyman to take on former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo — the son of another former New York governor, Mario Cuomo — in the mayoral campaign.“For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that power does not belong in their hands. Fingers bruised from lifting boxes on the warehouse floor, palms calloused from delivery bike handlebars, knuckles scarred from kitchen burns. These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power. And yet over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater,” Mamdani said. “Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands.”“My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.” London mayor Sadiq Khan – who has had a long-running feud with Trump – was among the first to congratulate Mamdani on his victory.Posting on X, he said: “New Yorkers faced a clear choice - between hope and fear - and just like we’ve seen in London - hope won. Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign.”New Yorkers faced a clear choice - between hope and fear - and just like we've seen in London - hope won.Huge congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani on his historic campaign.— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 5, 2025

Comments

Breaking news

Fundraiser for Huntingdon ‘train attack’ hero reaches £35,000

Metro

Comments

Similar News

Trump posts ominous warning about Zohran Mamdani's New York victory... and distances himself from Republican candidates after terrible election night

Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral race

Victorious Zohran's Message For Trump

Zohran Mamdani's rise: From Queens lawmaker to New York City mayor

Inside Zohran Mamdani’s Brooklyn Victory Party

Zohran Mamdani&#039;s Four Words for Donald Trump in Acceptance Speech

Who are Zohran Mamdani’s parents? An award-winning Indian-American director and a political commentator

Zohran Mamdani defeats Andrew Cuomo for New York mayor as Democrats count victories in major tests against Trump

Muslim Socialist Zohran Mamdani Wins New York City Mayor Election

Zohran Mamdani storms to victory in New York to become city's first democratic socialist mayor

Six Ways Zohran Mamdani Can Improve New York City

How Zohran Mamdani Beat Back New York’s Elite and Was Elected Mayor

Who Is Zohran Mamdani’s Wife? Meet NYC&#039;s New First Lady Rama Duwaji

*** Election Night LiveWire *** Results in New York, New Jersey, Virginia as Zohran Mamdani Rises to Become Leader of Democrat Party

Hollywood Celebrities Make Last Minute Push for Socialist Zohran Mamdani, Newsom’s Prop 50

Zohran Mamdani and Sadiq Khan: United by faith, politics and right wing hatred

From wannabe rapper to future mayor? The many lives of Zohran Mamdani

Exclusive -- Michael Whatley: Zohran Mamdani's Ideas Will 'Run New York into the Dirt'

WATCH: Zohran Mamdani Tries to Blame Trump for Election-Day Bomb Threats

NYC Socialist Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Appears on Ballot Twice

Breaking news

Fundraiser for Huntingdon ‘train attack’ hero reaches £35,000

‘I started taking ketamine at 16 – now I don’t have a bladder’

Who is NYC’s ‘First Lady’ Rama Duwaji? Syrian artist and wife of New York’s new mayor

Fox News host ‘in tears’ after Zohran Mamdani wins New York mayoral race

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani faces fake claims he wants Sharia law

Alan Carr Fires Back At Celebrity Traitors Critics: 'Everyone Has An Opinion'

The commonly prescribed drug that could reduce schizophrenia risk

Bosnia official puts death toll in retirement home fire at 11, with over 30 injured

Japan's Toyota, hurt by President Trump's tariffs, reports a drop in profit

Thames Water among six water firms to have bonuses for top bosses blocked

M&S profits plunge by more than half after major cyber attack

‘Trump’s worst nightmare’: New York mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political positions, from ICE to Israel

See the world in vertical: Top photos by AP's photojournalists

Student paralysed by skydiving accident sues for £15 million in compensation

Malaysian rapper Namewee detained in murder investigation of Taiwanese influencer

Pope Leo calls for 'deep reflection' about treatment of detained migrants in the United States

Wetherspoons ‘cautious’ ahead of November Budget

Prosecutors in Asia seize yachts, luxury cars and cash from man accused of running cyberscams

Moment UPS plane crashes near Kentucky airport caught on CCTV

Trump issues four-word response after NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani declares ‘mandate for change’

Ball of fire erupts after UPS plane crashes during takeoff

Japan sends troops to northern region to help stop bear attacks after a record number of casualties

Harry calls for veterans not to be forgotten and expresses pride in being British ahead of Remembrance Day

New car market grows 0.5% in October

Minister doubles down on Reeves’ doom warning: ‘We will do what’s right for the future of our economy’

Barratt Redrow sells more homes despite ‘challenging’ market

All's Fair Reviews: Kim Kardashian's New Legal Drama Is Torn Apart By Critics

Rachel Reeves Says Her Resignation Would Lead To Economic Meltdown