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Mar 11, 2026

Trump Warns New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani: ‘We’ll Have To Arrest Him’

Trump Responds After Mamdani’s Victory, Warns of Tensions Ahead

President Donald Trump addressed sharp criticism on Wednesday from Zohran Mamdani, the progressive candidate who recently defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s mayoral race.

Speaking during an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Trump reacted to comments Mamdani made during his fiery victory speech. Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, told supporters that Trump should “turn the volume up,” a remark that quickly drew national attention.

Trump described the statement as troubling, suggesting that the incoming mayor should approach relations with Washington more carefully.

“I think it’s a very dangerous statement for him to make,” Trump said during the interview. He added that Mamdani would need to show respect toward the federal government if he hoped to succeed as mayor.

At the same time, Trump clarified his position, saying that while he ultimately wants New York City to succeed, that does not necessarily mean he supports Mamdani personally.

“I want to make the city succeed,” Trump said. “I don’t want to make him succeed.”


A Heated Political Rivalry

Throughout the campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized Mamdani and his policy platform, which focused on expanding affordable housing and strengthening social safety programs across New York City.

Mamdani’s campaign also faced intense backlash from some critics, including racially charged attacks during the race. Despite the controversy, he ultimately defeated Cuomo—whom Trump had publicly endorsed.

During his victory speech on Tuesday night, Mamdani strongly criticized Trump, calling him a “despot” and accusing him of betraying the country. He urged his supporters to remain politically active and use both their votes and their voices to oppose what he described as the conditions that enabled Trump’s rise to power.

“We must dismantle the conditions that allowed him to accumulate power,” Mamdani said while addressing supporters.


Trump Calls Speech “Angry”

Reacting to the remarks, Trump told Baier that he believed Mamdani’s speech carried a confrontational tone.

“I thought it was a very angry speech,” Trump said. “Certainly angry toward me.”

He also suggested that cooperation between the city and the federal government could depend on how the new mayor approaches the relationship moving forward.

“I think he should be nice to me,” Trump added. “I’m sort of the one that has to approve a lot of things coming to him, so he’s off to a bad start.”

Despite the criticism, Mamdani’s supporters celebrated the historic nature of his victory. At 34 years old, he is set to become the first Muslim and South Asian mayor in New York City’s history and the youngest person to hold the position in more than a century.


Debate Over Ideology

Trump also used the interview to criticize Mamdani’s political ideology, expressing skepticism about democratic socialism.

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