MAGA figures Carlson and Greene praise Zohran Mamdani's focus on local issues
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 01, 2025, 00:51 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a surprising turn, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene lauded Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani is a Democratic socialist mayoral candidate in New York City. This praise comes despite their ideological differences. Carlson highlighted Mamdani's focus on New York City's issues during a debate. Greene noted Mamdani's appeal to young voters. Mamdani proposes policies like free public transport and rent freezes.
In an unexpected turn of events, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, two prominent figures in the MAGA movement, have praised Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist candidate who recently emerged as the front-runner in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. Their comments, made during a podcast on The Tucker Carlson Show, came despite significant ideological differences with Mamdani.
Carlson and Greene were discussing Mamdani's surprising victory over Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, in the Democratic primary. Carlson pointed to Mamdani's performance during the mayoral debate earlier this month, where he was the only candidate to focus exclusively on New York City’s issues. “That guy was the only person in the New York City mayor’s debate to say he wanted to focus on New York City,” Carlson said.
During the debate, candidates were asked where they would travel if given the opportunity. While many named foreign countries, Mamdani chose to remain in New York. “I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’d stay in New York,” he said. “If I want to meet Jewish constituents, I go to their synagogues, their homes, or whatever, but I’d be here in New York because that’s what I’m doing. I’m running New York. That’s my job.”
Carlson and Greene agreed that Mamdani’s answer demonstrated a strong commitment to the city, though they acknowledged their disagreement with his broader political views. Carlson remarked that Mamdani’s focus on economics, rather than foreign policy, was refreshing. “He’s talking about economics, and everyone else is talking about foreign policy,” Carlson said.
Greene, while critical of Cuomo’s establishment ties, added that Mamdani’s message was resonating with young voters. She criticized the Republican Party for failing to provide an alternative that could prevent Mamdani's rise, pointing out that the GOP’s inability to address local concerns contributed to his appeal. “So these young people have no choice but to turn to this,” Greene said, referring to Mamdani's socialist platform.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and moved to New York City at age seven, has proposed policies such as free public transportation, free child care, rent freezes, and a tax on high earners to address the city’s economic challenges. Despite their differences, Carlson and Greene both acknowledged Mamdani's focus on local issues as a significant factor in his appeal.
Carlson and Greene were discussing Mamdani's surprising victory over Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, in the Democratic primary. Carlson pointed to Mamdani's performance during the mayoral debate earlier this month, where he was the only candidate to focus exclusively on New York City’s issues. “That guy was the only person in the New York City mayor’s debate to say he wanted to focus on New York City,” Carlson said.
During the debate, candidates were asked where they would travel if given the opportunity. While many named foreign countries, Mamdani chose to remain in New York. “I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’d stay in New York,” he said. “If I want to meet Jewish constituents, I go to their synagogues, their homes, or whatever, but I’d be here in New York because that’s what I’m doing. I’m running New York. That’s my job.”
Carlson and Greene agreed that Mamdani’s answer demonstrated a strong commitment to the city, though they acknowledged their disagreement with his broader political views. Carlson remarked that Mamdani’s focus on economics, rather than foreign policy, was refreshing. “He’s talking about economics, and everyone else is talking about foreign policy,” Carlson said.
Greene, while critical of Cuomo’s establishment ties, added that Mamdani’s message was resonating with young voters. She criticized the Republican Party for failing to provide an alternative that could prevent Mamdani's rise, pointing out that the GOP’s inability to address local concerns contributed to his appeal. “So these young people have no choice but to turn to this,” Greene said, referring to Mamdani's socialist platform.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and moved to New York City at age seven, has proposed policies such as free public transportation, free child care, rent freezes, and a tax on high earners to address the city’s economic challenges. Despite their differences, Carlson and Greene both acknowledged Mamdani's focus on local issues as a significant factor in his appeal.