【Text by Observers Network, Xiong Chaoran】On June 29 local time, Zohran Mamdani, who had just won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, intensified his criticism of the wealthiest and most powerful group in New York. During an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" program, he stated that billionaires should not exist in the world.

"I think we shouldn't have billionaires," he said: "because frankly, at such an unequal time, with so much wealth, what we really need is more equality in our city, our state, and our country."

In fact, many of Mamdani's policy positions—including free public transportation, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations—have made business leaders and mainstream Democrats uneasy. However, he stood firm on his position during the NBC program, stating his hope to "work with everyone, including billionaires," to build a fairer city, and promising that "there is no room for anti-Semitism in this city."

He revealed that business leaders had told him that the high cost of living in New York was hindering companies from attracting and retaining talent, while politicians were "pretending to be bystanders in the cost-of-living crisis."

On June 24 local time, in Long Island City, Queens, New York, New York City mayoral candidate and New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani gave a speech to supporters. VCG

During the Democratic primary held on the evening of June 24 local time, 33-year-old New York State Assemblyman Mamdani unexpectedly defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, becoming the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

Mamdani was born in Uganda and moved to New York with his family at the age of seven. His parents are both Indian immigrants. He is a member of the "Democratic Socialists of America" (DSA) organization and has been a state legislator since 2021. The Associated Press pointed out that if Mamdani is successfully elected as New York City mayor, he will become the first Muslim and Indian-American mayor in the history of New York City, as well as the youngest mayor.

Bloomberg reported that since last week's overwhelming victory in the party primary, Mamdani has increasingly attracted national attention.

He continues to criticize income inequality in New York, the global financial center, and defends his condemnation of Israel's policies, including the Gaza war, which is a traditional issue in New York City campaigns. However, he also refuses to condemn the slogan "Global Uprising," which has offended many Jewish communities.

On June 29 local time, US President Trump warned that if New Yorkers elect Mamdani as mayor in November, he might stop providing federal funding to New York City.

"He must do the right thing, or they won't get the money," Trump called Mamdani a "communist" on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program.

In response, Mamdani also retaliated against Trump, refusing to accept the label, "I call myself a 'democratic socialist'." He also described Trump's comments as a distraction. He said, "I've had to start getting used to the fact that the president will eventually talk about my appearance, my voice, where I'm from, and who I am."

Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader of the US House of Representatives (Democrat), representing Brooklyn, New York, said he didn't know Mamdani very well, but called the slogan "Global Uprising" an "unacceptable statement."

He said on ABC's "This Week": "I think our nominee must convince people that he is prepared to actively address the rise of anti-Semitism in New York City, which is an unacceptable development."

According to an ABC report on June 27 local time, sources revealed that after losing the party primary, former New York Governor Cuomo did not give up the campaign. He will continue to run for New York City mayor in November as an independent candidate.

67-year-old Cuomo served as governor of New York from 2011 to 2021. In August 2021, New York State Attorney General Letitia James released a 168-page independent judicial investigation report, accusing Cuomo of sexually harassing dozens of women, including several former subordinates, violating state and federal laws. Subsequently, Cuomo announced his resignation from the governorship.

Four years later, Cuomo made a comeback in March of this year, announcing his candidacy for New York City mayor. On his personal website, Cuomo stated that his campaign agenda has received support from multiple members of the New York City Council and the state legislature. Prominent figures such as former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former New York Governor David Paterson, and former US President Bill Clinton have also announced their endorsement of him.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observers Network. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521533233570316810/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [Upvote/Downvote] buttons below.