23:40ABC NEWS LIVE PRIME WITH LINSEY DAVIS – Host Linsey Davis engages in conversation with NYC Mayoral Hopeful Zohran Mamdani on Monday, October 27th, 2025. The conversation will be broadcast at 7pm ET on Monday, October 27th, 2025 on ABC News Live.(ABC/Michael J. Lebrecht II) LINSEY DAVIS, ZOHRAN MAMDANIMichael J. Lebrecht Ii/ABC
Zohran Mamdani, the leading Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, expressed his intention to represent "every New Yorker" and avoid actions that "set individuals against one another," during an extensive interview with "ABC News Live Prime" host Linsey Davis as the election neared its conclusion.
At the commencement of Monday's one-on-one interview, Mamdani, age 34, addressed what he has referred to as anti-Islamic remarks employed to undermine his campaign, which followed contentious assertions by one of his rivals, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"A past governor appeared on a radio program. The radio program's presenter suggested that if another 9/11 occurred, I would celebrate it. Andrew Cuomo chuckled and concurred. It has been several days subsequently, yet he has not offered an apology," Mamdani stated. "That is not my interpretation of his comments as Islamophobic. Those comments, in essence, are precisely that."
ABC NEWS LIVE PRIME WITH LINSEY DAVIS – Host Linsey Davis engages in conversation with NYC Mayoral Hopeful Zohran Mamdani on Monday, October 27th, 2025. The conversation will be broadcast at 7pm ET on Monday, October 27th, 2025 on ABC News Live. (ABC/Michael J. Lebrecht II) LINSEY DAVIS, ZOHRAN MAMDANIMichael J. Lebrecht Ii/ABC
Mamdani also addressed "startling" remarks by Vice President JD Vance after the mayoral contender revealed his aunt felt uneasy riding the subway while wearing her hijab after 9/11. In response to Mamdani's statements, Vance posted on social media: "According to Zohran the true victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks."
"Regrettably, it's not surprising, yet still disconcerting, to witness the vice president of this nation attempting to create a cheap jest regarding Islamophobia when New Yorkers desire a vision of a unified city," Mamdani commented on Vance's statements. "Unification entails respecting every individual who considers this city their home, abstaining from pitting individuals against one another, as has become commonplace in both Republican politics and now, regrettably, within Democratic politics too."
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, speaks with Linsey Davis of ABC News, Oct. 27, 2025.ABC News
Regarding apprehensions about his candidacy expressed by some Jewish leaders, after more than 1,000 rabbis nationwide signed a letter condemning his discourse on Israel, Mamdani stated he has "valued" dialogues he has had with rabbis and Jewish figures throughout the five boroughs.
"These discussions have not solely deepened my comprehension of the significance of eradicating antisemitism across the city, which we must achieve, but also the diverse approaches we must adopt to do so," he stated, mentioning actions like bolstering funding for hate crime prevention and implementing a curriculum that "commemorates the scope and splendor of Jewish life within the city's history."
"I aspire to be the mayor for each and every New Yorker, for every Jewish individual in New York, and not just those who actively vote for me, but anyone who regards the city as their home," he declared.
In the days prior to the start of early voting in New York City, Mamdani secured an endorsement from a prominent Democrat — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. — but is still awaiting endorsement from the other — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
When queried about his perspective on this matter, Mamdani conveyed his gratitude for Jeffries' support and revealed that the two specifically addressed matters of affordability.
"I emphasize this while acknowledging that the reason I am seated before you today as the Democratic nominee is not due to the volume of endorsements I've garnered, but as a result of the movement we've cultivated — 90,000 New Yorkers who have been actively knocking on doors and making phone calls," Mamdani asserted. "These individuals have built this campaign. These individuals will guide us to triumph."
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, speaks with Linsey Davis of ABC News, Oct. 27, 2025.ABC News
Mamdani's affordability pledges encompass complimentary public buses, an expansion of subsidized childcare services, and the stabilization of rents for rent-regulated residences.
He has advocated for funding these initiatives through a 2% levy on New York City denizens earning over $1 million annually and a rise in the state's corporate tax rate to 11.5%. Both tax adjustments necessitate approval from state leadership; however, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has affirmed her intention to abstain from increasing taxes on New Yorkers.
When questioned about how he would finance his proposals in the absence of tax increases, Mamdani conveyed that he would persist in advocating for the increases — contending that they would aid in "Trump-proofing" New York City, subsequent to threats from President Donald Trump to withdraw federal funding from the city should the assemblyman, whom Trump has labeled a "radical" and "communist," emerge victorious.
"I will continue to elucidate why I believe it is imperative to elevate taxes on the uppermost 1% by 2%, and why we must align the state's apex corporate tax rate with that of New Jersey, thereby yielding $9 billion. This sum adequately covers our economic agenda and initiates the process of 'Trump-proofing' our city," he elaborated. "I will champion this cause because I am convinced that it is most reasonable in the most prosperous city and the wealthiest nation in the world's history to ensure we possess the necessary resources to render it a place affordable for New Yorkers."
When asked about the most prevalent misconception concerning him, Mamdani suggested it is the notion that his affordability platform is not intended for all New Yorkers.
"There occasionally exists a misinterpretation, both regarding me and within our political sphere, that I am addressing solely a particular subset of New Yorkers when I discuss this matter. That I am solely engaging with tenants, for instance, to the exclusion of homeowners, or that I am exclusively addressing New Yorkers residing in one specific neighborhood over another," he stated.
"To me, the affordability agenda must be universally applicable to possess genuine significance. This entails simultaneously freezing rents for rent-regulated tenants and addressing a dysfunctional property tax framework. It also necessitates concurrently addressing the means of expediting and providing free bus transportation while concurrently seeking to assist those New Yorkers who do not utilize the bus system, correct?" Mamdani remarked.
"This is a universal application of our political ideals because political landscapes are frequently defined by leaders who seek solely to cater to those who already share their views. I aspire to serve every individual who considers the city their home," he added.
ABC News' Victor Ordonez contributed to this report.
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