Below is my column on Fox.com on the debate that Democratic New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is a socialist, a Democratic Socialist, or a communist. What is clear is that Mamdani is a Marxist and that is a serious problem for New York.
Here is the column:
Zohran Mamdani was officially certified as the winner of the June 24 New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday. He defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on his way to a victory that is still sending shockwaves through the Democratic Party establishment and beyond.
The only question that remains: who is Zohran Mamdani? The debate is raging where he is antisemitic or just pro-Palestinian; anti-ICE or just pro-immigrant? However, one thing seems to be increasingly clear.
Mamdani is a serious Marxist and that should concern anyone in New York City.
Recently, PolitiFact declared that it was “false” that Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is a “communist.” This was in response to President Donald Trump‘s calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic” on Truth Social. However, while we can quibble over whether the term “communist” is supported by past statements, it appears that Mamdani is likely a Marxist.
PolitiFact characterized the use of the label by Trump and others as a “red scare tactic that has existed in U.S. politics for decades.” For those center-right in American politics, it may have seemed a tad ironic since conservatives and libertarians are routinely called “fascists” and the left has engaged in McCarthy-like tactics to blacklist and question the loyalty of those with opposing views. That is rarely the subject of “fact checks.”
We have repeatedly discussed the biased and sometimes false conclusions of PolitiFact (here, here, and here). On this occasion, PolitiFact may have once again been too quick on the trigger to denounce Trump and conservatives over characterizations of Mamdani’s political and economic views.
First, I have not joined those who have called Mamdani a “communist” as opposed to a “socialist” because these terms are interpreted in wildly different ways. For example, despite being a great critic of Mamdani and his views, I have not seen Mamdani advocating for single-party control over the political system or the complete centralization of the economy under government control.
However, it appears that Mamdani is a serious Marxist, based on recently revealed comments he has made. In one speech before the Young Democratic Socialists of America conference, Mamdani even states matter-of-factly how one of the goals is to “seize the means of production” in America.
“Right now, if we’re talking about the cancellation of student debt, if we’re talking about Medicare for all, you know, these are issues which have the groundswell of popular support across this country. But then there are also other issues that we firmly believe in, whether it’s BDS or whether it is the end goal of seizing the means of production, where we do not have the same level of support at this very moment.”
That does not sound like soft socialism, but fairly hardcore Marxism. It also contradicts PolitiFact’s statement that “Mamdani’s platform is not akin to communism, a system of government which calls for government takeover of private property and control of industry.”
To his credit, Mamdani is not denying that he opposes capitalism and wants to eliminate all billionaires. (He is not clear where millionaires might face their own cutoff for excessive wealth).
Mamdani is the perfect product of the extreme American left. He emerged from the Hollywood and academic environs where extreme views are the rage. He is the son of Professor Mahmood Mamdani, a far-left professor, and Mira Nair, a liberal Indian-American filmmaker. His father teaches subjects from “post-colonialism” to “race capitalism” at Columbia.
Mamdani is the prototype of what some of us have been writing about in the radicalization of higher education, particularly at elite colleges and universities. He graduated in 2014 from the elite Bowdoin College with a bachelor’s degree in African studies. These schools are now largely devoid of conservative faculty members. Scholars generally run from the left to the far left.
Polls show increasing support among young people for socialism and even communism. Notably, Mamdani received significant support in the primary from wealthy and young college-educated voters.
To put it simply, it is cool to be socialist among generations who did not experience the economic failures of socialist systems in the 20th Century in countries like Great Britain and France. They did not witness former communist countries turning to capitalism to rescue their failing economies.
Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary was fueled by promises of free buses, free healthcare, free daycare, as well as city-run grocery stores. He even promised “to make Halal eight bucks again.”
It is true that most countries, including the United States, have long embraced social welfare systems. It is also true that some programs once denounced as socialism are now considered mainstream. However, Mamdani’s categorical opposition to capitalism and his references to seizing control of the means of production suggest more extreme Marxist views.
Mamdani has tried to downplay fears over his views after his victory, stating:
“When we talk about my politics, you know, I call myself a Democratic socialist in many ways inspired by the words of Dr. [Martin Luther] King from decades ago, who said, ‘Call it democracy, call it Democratic-Socialism, there has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country.'”
It is hard to “call it Democratic-Socialism” when you are talking about seizing control of the means of production and opposing capitalism. It suggests that his vision of a “greater distribution of wealth” is far more radical than anything Dr. King was referencing.
Mamdani would not be the first child from an affluent, privileged background to embrace Marxism. In my forthcoming book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, I examine how revolutionaries, from the French Revolution to contemporary movements, have often come from the elite or privileged classes. I discuss the current radicalization in America in exploring the future of American democracy in the 21st Century.
There is a full-court press to dismiss questions about Mamdani’s philosophical views by many in the media and academia. After all, as Mamdani noted on “issues that we firmly believe in [like] the end goal of seizing the means of production… we do not have the same level of support at this very moment.” That support is growing by maintaining a cocoon of ambiguity.
There is a good-faith debate on whether the existing record supports a claim that Mamdani is a communist. However, there is ample reason to suggest that he is a Marxist. That should be a matter of significant concern, particularly as the possible head of government in the world’s greatest financial center.
Marx once said in frustration that “if anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist.” Perhaps, but Zohran Mamdani does appear to be a true, hardcore Marxist.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University and the best-selling author of “The Indispensable Right.”
So what do they teach at Bowdoin College? It appears the National Association of Scholars, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to reform higher education, asked that very question in 2013:
What Does Bowdoin Teach?
What Does Bowdoin Teach?
From their introduction:
Before 1969, it was a college with strong intellectual traditions, a core curriculum, and a commitment to Western Civilization. But after 1969, it abolished all general education requirements and turned from what it called “collegiate” education to what its president at the time called “liberating” education. Out went the old standards and in came a new focus on race, class, gender, and the environment. Out went the old style of scholarly generalists as teachers and in came the new style of research specialists as faculty members. ….The National Association of Scholars tests these claims by thoroughly examining what Bowdoin teaches, through its formal curriculum, student life, and the relationships between students and faculty members
The National Association of Scholars generated a 383 pages report on their findings, and it ends with the following:
What does Bowdoin not teach? Intellectual modesty. Self-restraint. Hard work.1231 Virtue. Self-criticism. Moderation. A broad framework of intellectual history. Survey courses.1232 English composition.1233 A course on Edmund Spenser. A course primarily on the American Founders.1234 A course on the American Revolution.1235 The history of Western civilization from classical times to the present. A course on the Christian philosophical tradition. Public speaking. Tolerance toward dissenting views. The predicates of critical thinking. A coherent body of knowledge. How to distinguish importance from triviality. Wisdom. Culture.
https://www.nas.org/storage/app/media/images/documents/What_Does_Bowdoin_Teach.pdf
🍿
Jezzzzzzzzzzzz
Number of Bowdoin students graduating as Marxists, Estovir? I could look it up but you’re better at that task. Is this man a product? His goal may be political election and nothing more. His appeal is identified as 1 million Islamic votes?
The category is “politics”.
Thanks as usual for facts.
I do think it’s hilarious that Democrats in Congress are pushing back on him. I guess the internal polling is really, really bad for a third world communist being elected to anything instead of getting the bullet he deserves.
Madmani is laughing his head off. He’ll win in a walk. NYC is hopeless.
The name is Madman!, not Madmani
Democrats seem ready again to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” if the DNC follows Mamdani and the unique NYC politics.
Trump will probably fund any Democrat that supports Mamdani. Trump loves that Democrats are using him as a national role model.
Democrats need a candidate that can win independent swing-voters. And a candidate that understands after October 7 in Israel (equivalent of our 9/11 attacks) there can’t be no two-state solution when a terrorist group (funded by Iran) publicly states their primary goal is to kill and destroy all Israelis. They promise to not coexist with Israel.
A two-state solution is a great goal, but only when both sides want to coexist peaceably side by side. A two-state solution is not possible right now.
If national Democrats follow Mamdani they will lose really big in 2026. Might win NYC but it will lose the national elections.
“Democrats need a candidate that can win independent swing-voters. And a candidate that understands after October 7 in Israel (equivalent of our 9/11 attacks) there can’t be no two-state solution when a terrorist group (funded by Iran) publicly states their primary goal is to kill and destroy all Israelis. They promise to not coexist with Israel.”
More succinctly, Democrats need a Republican.
Ano
A two-state solution is a great goal, but only when both sides want to coexist peaceably side by side. A two-state solution is not possible right now.
___________________
How about NO! The Pals had their chance, but they want death not peace. Oct 7th proved that.
Israel needs to take back they land they gave away for peace.
Dustoff, you have a clear and correct position. There will never be peace until it is recgonzed a two-state solution cannot exist. The Palestinians have brought this on themselves and from here, further resistance can only make things worse.
How about your not labeling him… it is too easy to do.
Are you a Fascist or a nazi sympathizer ?
Ahhh he labeled himself.
OT
“SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF”
“THIS WILL NOT INCLUDE FOREIGNERS AND ALIENS”
“IF THE U.S. DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION TO COMPEL A CHILD’S PARENTS TO JURY DUTY, THE THE U.S. DOES NOT HAVE THE TOTAL, COMPLETE JURISDICTION”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1866 – SENATOR JACOB M. HOWARD (MI) – AUTHOR OF THE CITIZENSHIP CLAUSE
Mr. HOWARD: I now move to take up House joint resolution No. 127.
The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the joint resolution (H.R. No. 127) proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
The first amendment is to section one, declaring that all “persons born in the United States and Subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the States wherein they reside. I do not propose to say anything on that subject except that the question of citizenship has been fully discussed in this body as not to need any further elucidation, in my opinion. This amendment which I have offered is simply declaratory of what I regard as the law of the land already, that every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It settles the great question of citizenship and removes all doubt as to what persons are or are not citizens of the United States. This has long been a great desideratum in the jurisprudence and legislation of this country.[1]
– P.A. Madison, Former Research Fellow in Constitutional Studies, 2005
https://www.14thamendment.us/articles/anchor_babies_unconstitutionality.html
When these issues are discussed, I am reminded of Mandeville’s famous work, “Fable of the Bees; Private Vices, Public Virtue” and Ibn Khaldun’s “Introduction to History” in which he discusses why capitalists “need protection”. (The ruling class gets jealous of their luxuries and seeks to take their wealth with every means possible because it’s human nature. A capitalist needs a person of rank or privilege “under whose shade they can dwell in peace”.
COMMUNISM—AMERICA HAS ONLY ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO THANK
____________________________________________________________________________
“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.”
– Abraham Lincoln, from his first speech as an Illinois state legislator, 1837
_________________________________________________________________________________
“Everyone now is more or less a Socialist.”
– Charles Dana, managing editor of the New York Tribune, and Lincoln’s assistant secretary of war, 1848
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“The goal of Socialism is Communism.”
– Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
_________________________
“RECONSTRUCTION OF A SOCIAL WORLD”
Letter of congratulation and commendation from Karl Marx to his fellow traveler, Abraham Lincoln:
“The workingmen of Europe feel sure that, as the American War of Independence initiated a new era of ascendancy for the middle class, so the American Antislavery War will do for the working classes. They consider it an earnest of the epoch to come that it fell to the lot of Abraham Lincoln, the single-minded son of the working class, to lead his country through the matchless struggle for the rescue of an enchained race and the reconstruction of a social world.”
– Karl Marx and the First International Workingmen’s Association to Lincoln, 1864 https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/iwma/documents/1864/lincoln-letter.htm
This reminds me of the Monty Python “Communist Quiz Sketch.”
https://youtu.be/vZ9myHhpS9s
“Zohran Mamdani was officially certified as the winner of the June 24 New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday.” (JT)
If that Marxist is elected mayor, the *only* thing that can keep him afloat is the voluntary cooperation of NYC’s producers — the very achievers he wants to bleed dry. If those producers do stay — if they don’t flee or go on strike — they richly deserve every abuse they will get.
In 2021, he was the keynote speaker at a Young DSA conference. In the course of his remarks, he stated that it was the “end goal” of DSA to seize “the means of production”.
I guess this fool of a human being. Has never read any books about places like old Russia and Cuba.
Real life can be hell.
He probably thinks he will be in the Kulturney class of Russia who owns the Dachas, gets access to the special Party Stores, and wants for nothing. Unfortunately, the rest of the population has to sacrifice to provide the luxury goods to the “Servants of the People”.
@Dustoff
‘Real life’ doesn’t exist. It is something we created. A lot of people seem to have done their level best to dismantle that over the past couple of decades, and to an extent, it has worked splendidly. There is no self-supporting barrier people will eventually bump into. There are only the choices we make today and going forward. We can’t delude ourselves into thinking that we are perpetually self-correcting just by default. It can all go to hell, real quick. We were lucky enough to inherit the efforts of our forebears. If we don’t make the same efforts, that will all go *poof*.
It will all go *poof* unless we begin deporting every last colored like the Founders intended.
Found the Moby
Wow. Thanks for being open about your bigotry.
As the good professor notes, “Mamdani received significant support in the primary from wealthy and young college-educated voters.”
If the draw of socialism, Marxism continues to grow, as I expect it will in the echo chamber of other socialists in academia, then those young voters just might become the dominate voting block. All those older, sensible business people, they might win this election if they all back one opposing candidate but what about the next election? If Cuomo runs as an Independent, a three way race could hand the election to Mamdani. Might make more business sense, and seeing the trend of businesses mass exodus to states like TX and FL, rather than throw a bunch of money at one candidate, take that money and run. I would then expect those restaurants who’s clientele was the Wall St. types, to also close their doors. Tourism would also take a hit, more so than with all the crime from the illegals Biden shipped in.
NY governor who is running for election has not endorsed anyone for the NYC mayor election. She might have a problem in if she endorses either one of them. Endorse Adams, or Cuomo if he chooses to run as an Independent, she may lose the Muslim voting block and those wealthy and young college-educated voters. There was a poll showing NY Democrats did not want Houchl to run.
“. . . promises of free buses, free healthcare, free daycare, as well as city-run grocery stores,” and free housing. “. . . the end goal of seizing the means of production.”
Tragically, _Atlas Shrugged_ is prophetic, yet again:
“Well, there was something that happened at that plant [The Twentieth Century Motor Company] where I worked for twenty years. It was when the old man died and his heirs took over. There were three of them, two sons and a daughter, and they brought a new plan to run the factory. They let us vote on it, too, and everybody — almost everybody — voted for it. We didn’t know. We thought it was good. No, that’s not true, either. We thought that we were supposed to think it was good. The plan was that everybody in the factory would work *according to his ability, but would be paid according to his need*.”
“Do you know how it worked, that [Marxist] plan, and what it did to people? Try pouring water into a tank where there’s a pipe at the bottom draining it out faster than you pour it, and each bucket you bring breaks that pipe an inch wider, and the harder you work the more is demanded of you, and you stand slinging buckets forty hours a week, then forty-eight, then fifty-six for your neighbor’s supper — for his wife’s operation — for his child’s measles — for his mother’s wheel chair — for his uncle’s shirt — for his nephew’s schooling — for the baby next door — for the baby to be born — for anyone anywhere around you — it’s theirs to receive, from diapers to dentures — and yours to work, from sunup to sundown, month after month, year after year, with nothing to show for it but your sweat, with nothing in sight for you but their pleasure, for the whole of your life, without rest, without hope, without end . . .” (On the collapse of the Twentieth Century Motor Company, caused by Mamdani’s Marxist principle: From each according to his ability. To each according to his need. Emphasis added}
Math Is Hard: Mamdani Solves Budget Crisis With Imaginary Money
https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/zohran-mamdani-city-run-grocery-stores-miscalculation
OldManFromKS,
Why is it I could actually see, now that we all know his assumption of where the money is going to come from, rather than say, “Oh, I made a mistake,” he doubles down on the city ran grocery stores idea. Likely, “Hey! We will just tax rich people and Wall St.!! That is a great idea!”
And everyone will agree!
And then that sucking sound will be of all those rich people and Wall St. businesses leaving and taking their money with them!
It’ll take time because they’re invested in property?
@oldman
I saw that too. the fact of the matter is though that he doesn’t care. Neither do the people that voted for him. It’s a tone deafness that logic will not solve, no matter how much we point it out; nevertheless, I do think it’s crucial we continue to publicly and vocally point it out. just understand it literally has zero effect on the people that support him, they do not possess those levels of intelligence, reason, or depth. We have to be the opposition.
As you’ve likely shown, net profit margins in the grocery business are low, especially for smaller stores entering underserved areas of NYC.
New York City is a terrible manager of both money and real estate. Its cost to operate a housing unit is far higher than that of a private individual.
Mamdami’s ideas are contrary to reality so I think there is enough time before the election to change the mindet of the population. Think John Lindsay
DJT should unload Trump tower but for the actual owners are retirement funds not that Madmoney would care. DJT took a penthouse for putting together the deal?
Some relevant analysis from Sasha Stone:
https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/opinion/the-democratic-party-we-knew-died-the-same-way-it-lived-with-fear-and-hate/
OldManFromKS,
“But Trump didn’t destroy the Democratic Party. They did it all on their own by never offering voters something better, or anything at all but Trump hate.”
That line right there is the take away.
Certainly not the rule but fairly typical: “Mamdani would not be the first child from an affluent, privileged background to embrace Marxism.” Look no further than ol’ Karl Marx himself as the prototype.
Far be it from anyone to suggest that ol’ Karl was anything more than a 19th century equivalent of the 21st century’s ‘live in mom’s basement’ individual looking for a way to scam a buck? Karl, while supported by mum and dad (finally they gave him the heave-ho after dad croaked) was ultimately supported by Engels…another son of wealthy parents who enjoyed the power/influence thing.
While financially supported by others, Karl toiled at finding a scheme to acquire influence, power and (dare it be said) $. Since Karl was on the lazy side, he had to be prodded by Engels in this worthy endeavor.
What to do, what to do. And finally, it dawned on ol’ Karl; harness the power of the uneducated and the poor by convincing them that their plight is the result of an intentional plan by the ‘haves’. And the rest is a history that can be re-played under any circumstances where there are poor or poorly educated citizens.
The antidote for ol’ Karl’s scam? Work continuously to prevent an uneducated citizenry and ensure a level economic playing field that gives opportunity to all.
The fundamental principle of Marxism/Leninism/Socialism/Communism is jealousy. For all of the intellectual pretensions, they’re nothing more than fancy ways of justifying the jealously of the ignorant that others have more. These failed ideologies have done nothing to improve the lot of the poor, certainly nothing compared to the tremendous success of free markets.
(Note that I refuse to use the term “capitalism” for free markets. Don’t use your enemy’s labels.)
The “fundamental principle” of any scam is exploitation of ANY human frailty.
Thou Shalt Not Covet
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
Thou Shalt Not Steal
From Nghia Nguyen: Thank you so much, Professor Turley. I am your fan and everyday forward your essays to my readers. Coming from a country invaded by communists, I would like to mention the great thinker Raymond Aron (1905-1983). He explained what we are witnessing now in his wellknown book published in 1955, then translated and provided free in English:
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Opium_of_the_Intellectuals/MyuDSbzX3lYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PR3&printsec=frontcover&fbclid=IwY2xjawLSKCRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtdTFlZHg5a001aW80MkF4AR723f4FR_TfOzWP1Fk4Z2K0GkwTqioFKbV4j6fI7WRv_HFX7yNe2GrM9VrUlA_aem_Ttpt4puQBWgm3q75Z5Vbbg
First, so what? Marxism is rampant in the Democratic Party and has been since the 1930s. Second, “Marxism” IS Communism! Although Marx is attributed to being an economist and everything else, he was first and foremost a Communist. He and Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto after all and if you read it, you’ll see their ideas go hand-in-hand with everything on the Left today from feminism, race to outright communal living (which the socialists who founded the Republican party in 1850 were also involved with.) Marxism is alive and well in the United States and has been since Lincoln. They just switched parties under FDR.
Communal living? You mean like The Golden Girls or Friends?
No, more in the spirit of the 60s and 70s when the libberbangers sought out to provide physical support for their politically distressed ‘comrades’.
Current social circumstances has witnessed a rebirth of that phenomena.
The call of the wild is forever!
Where the wolves eat Fatty?
mamdani, despite being a double legacy, minority and an activist, was not accepted by Harvard. The guy is a moron, might be a marxist.
They had to reserve the spot for that genius David Hogg.
Wrong conclusion.
It seems quite clear Mamdani could read and add well beyond the skill set offered by the remedial courses offered to Harvard freshmen. Thus, he was rejected in hopes that the next Brown Jackson would land the spot.
Dead in the Water
You know its over for New York City & State (same for all Major Cities & States)
When the Socialist-Communist come for OPM (Other Peoples Money) and there is nothing but a black-hole of debt to fall into.
NYC is so underwater drowning in debt that not even Quadrillion Dollar Bailouts can necessitate it.
They should be holding a Funeral Service for NYC instead of an Election.
At what point can we just declare their government a failure, put the whole city into receivership, and install a military governor to straighten this all out?
Yep
Unlike the US Congress, the State of NY cannot print its own money. They think they can spend like congress. They think wrong 🙂
If you seize the restaurants that produce food, then you can control who can enter them, and then you can kick out the obnoxious Hispanics so they don’t ruin the meal you paid for by their inconsideration.
The closest thing to a real Marxist in the US is Trump when he forced US Steel to give the US shares of their company and give the US partial control of the company.
Yes, Trump is a Marxist based on his actions.
I bet you actually think that you made an insightful point here. You didn’t.