Zahran Mamdani, Mayor of the Internet
Zahran Mamdani Literally, everywhere.
The 34-year-old New York state representative, who in recent months has gone from relative political obscurity to the likely winner of New York’s mayoral race in November, has previously graced the covers of Time, New York, Vanity Fair and Nation, among other publications. He’s sparred with news anchors on CNN and Fox News, sparred with Stephen Colbert and joked with the hosts like his life depended on it. view.
Mamdani’s ubiquitous presence did not begin with printed pages or broadcast interviews. Much of that mainstream media exposure, and Mamdani’s growing popularity, is a byproduct of a single element of his mayoral campaign: Indeed, really Good Social Strategy One of Mamdani’s first viral videos, a supercut of 2024 short conversations between the congressman and Trump voters in New York, set the stage for a subsequent mayoral campaign built on clever, conversational clips. See: Mamdani is very coldwhich emerged from a polarizing collapse in the Atlantic by pledging to end rent-stabilized apartments. See also: Mamdani sneakerswalking along Manhattan to support politicians available. Mamdani City BikeResponding to a spectator’s howl of “Communist” before pedaling off as cameras roll. or Mamdani red roseforgery Bachelor’s degree while luring New Yorkers with promises of a just future. Yes, the #ZaddyZohran TikTok hashtag is almost as prolific as the candidate who inspired it.
But as Mamdani acknowledged during a recent sit-in at his campaign’s Manhattan headquarters, his omnipresence has its downsides: There’s the ire of President Trump, who has denounced Mamdani as “a 100 percent communist lunatic,” and threatened to arrest him in November, raising Andre Rauner and Conner. National Guard to New York City. Then there is the risk of violence against Mamdani or his campaign headquarters. It’s a concern that has grown significantly since the recent assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, and for Mamdani it means “I’m never alone.”
But for someone like the ubiquitous Mamdani, immersing yourself in the safe confines of an office can only last so long. Exactly forty-five minutes before our interview ends, Mamdani (security detail in tow) playfully joins WIRED photographers on a busy Manhattan street, posing in a yellow cab and pacing the sidewalk. To say that passers-by noticed it would be an understatement. They took at least 5 selfies in less than 10 minutes. They also picked up campaign material, apparently so inspired by a glimpse of Zadi Zahran that they were forced to join his 80,000-strong volunteer army. And in typical New York fashion, they did all this without any personal shame, shouting Mamdani’s name from the open windows of towers and cars. He shoots him from across the street and down the block.
It remains to be seen whether Mamdani as mayor can satisfy these local stars along with his thousands of volunteers and hundreds of thousands of potential voters — not to mention the millions more who follow on the Internet. Mamdani is currently embracing the life of a newly minted internet darling. After giving a final wave to loud fans shouting from windows across the street, the candidate and his team head back inside their office building. Take the elevator and possibly the next interview.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo: Aik Adani
