New York City elects first Muslim mayor

For the first time in New York’s history, a Muslim mayor has been elected, reported Associated Press.

Democratic Party candidate Zohran Mamdani secured a decisive victory over independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, who was supported by the U.S. President. The 34-year-old politician became not only the youngest mayor in the city’s history but also its first Muslim leader.

During his campaign, Mamdani promised to control rent prices, introduce free bus rides, and make childcare services more affordable.

However, not everyone welcomed his victory. Before the election, Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding for New York if Mamdani won. He also called on his supporters to vote for the independent candidate, Cuomo.

The election took place on November 4. Mamdani defeated Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. In one of his speeches, Mamdani criticized Trump and Cuomo for sharing similar political views, stating:

“The MAGA movement’s support for Andrew Cuomo shows that Donald Trump sees him as the best mayor for himself. They have the same donors, the same narrow worldview, and the same sense of impunity,” Mamdani said.

According to the New York Comptroller’s Office, the city receives approximately 7.4 billion dollars in federal funding annually, which accounts for 6.4 percent of its budget. During his presidency, Trump repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funding for various programs for political reasons.