Uganda-born Zohran Mamdani has made history by winning New York City’s mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and one of its youngest leaders in more than a century.
The 34-year-old Democrat, a self-described democratic socialist, rose rapidly from a relatively unknown state lawmaker just a year ago to one of the most prominent voices in American politics. Born in Uganda and raised partly in South Africa, Mamdani will officially assume office on January 1.
In his victory speech on Tuesday night, Mamdani took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump, saying, “So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
Pledging to make New York a beacon of hope, he declared, “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants—and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”
Mamdani made opposition to Trump’s policies—especially on immigration—a central theme of his campaign. The president had previously threatened to cut federal funding and intervene in city affairs if Mamdani won.
“This city will be the light in a moment of political darkness,” Mamdani told cheering supporters. “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”
