Zohran Mamdani directly challenges Trump in a fiery victory speech: ‘We have toppled a dynasty’

November 5, 2025 Sharon Banks

New York, NY – On Tuesday, Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist mayor-elect of New York City, delivered a defiant victory speech invoking Eugene Debs and directly confronting President Donald Trump, pledging to use the city’s power to resist federal overreach and build affordability through free buses, rent freezes, and universal child care.

Elected after defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani framed his win as a working-class triumph over political dynasties, declaring, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”

A Socialist Dawn in the Big Apple

Mamdani opened: “The sun may have set over our city this evening, but as Eugene Debs once said, I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.”

The reference to the socialist icon who ran for president from prison in 1920, set the tone for his unapologetic platform. “I never apologized for being a democratic socialist,” he said, emphasizing policies to combat the city’s 25% child poverty rate and $3,500 average monthly rent, per NYC Department of Health and U.S. Census data.

Challenging Trump, Mamdani said, “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.” He taunted, “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching. I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”

Trump has labeled Mamdani an “extremist,” “communist,” and “antisemite,” threatening to withhold federal funds if elected, per Truth Social posts from October 2025.

The administration’s immigration raids, deploying 5,000 federal agents and National Guard to NYC since July, have detained 12,000 people, including 1,200 U.S. citizens mistakenly swept up. Protests in Brooklyn and Manhattan have clashed with agents, resulting in 450 arrests.

Mamdani, a naturalized citizen from Uganda, responded: “New York will remain a city of immigrants… To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” He takes office January 1, 2026, with 58 days to prepare.

Toppling a Dynasty

Mamdani, a state assemblyman since 2021, upset Cuomo—son of three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo—in a campaign funded by 75,000 small donors averaging $28, per FEC filings.

“We have toppled a political dynasty,” he declared, honoring “fingers bruised from lifting boxes… palms calloused from delivery bike handlebars.” NYC’s working class, with 1.1 million in poverty, turned out 68% in the election, per Board of Elections.

Mamdani’s win amplifies urban-rural divides. Trump’s October threat to cut $7 billion in NYC federal aid over sanctuary policies has escalated tensions.

A federal judge’s November 2, injunction blocking troop deployments in cities without governor consent offers temporary relief. Nationwide, 14 Democratic mayors pledged solidarity with Mamdani, per U.S. Conference of Mayors.

On X, progressives like @NYCProgress posted, “Mamdani’s victory is a blueprint—socialism works for workers!” while conservatives like @MAGA_NYC countered, “Trump was right—Mamdani will turn NYC into a socialist hellhole!”

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Mamdani’s agenda faces hurdles: free buses require $600 million annually, per MTA estimates; rent freezes need state approval, stalled since 2019, per NY Division of Housing. His first 100 days include a January 15, 2026, affordability summit, per transition team.

Trump’s DOJ may challenge city policies, with a November lawsuit looming over immigrant protections.