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| NY Post Graphic |
Media coverage of Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as New York City's mayor has been polarized, reflecting his status as a divisive progressive figure.
Left-leaning and mainstream outlets largely celebrated the historic event, portraying it as a triumphant milestone for diversity and working-class politics. The Guardian described Mamdani's swearing-in on a Quran as marking a "new era," while NPR and CNN highlighted his "soaring rhetoric" and coalition with figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, framing his affordability agenda as inspirational for progressives nationwide.
Centrist sources, such as The New York Times and BBC, emphasized the milestones—Mamdani as the city's first Muslim, South Asian, and Africa-born mayor, and youngest in over a century—while noting looming challenges in implementing bold policies amid economic pressures and scrutiny from opponents.
Conservative reactions were sharply critical, with some Republicans labeling his democratic socialism as dangerous, though coverage noted post-election cordiality, including a meeting with President Trump.
Overall, outlets across the spectrum depicted Mamdani's rise as a national phenomenon driven by social media and grassroots energy, with his early actions—like revoking certain prior executive orders and signing tenant protections—seen as immediate steps toward his "agenda of abundance."
Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state assemblyman, won an upset 2025 election after defeating Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and then in the general as Cuomo ran independently, alongside Republican Curtis Sliwa. His campaign focused on rent freezes, free buses, universal childcare, and municipal groceries, resonating with young and cost-burdened voters.
The January 1, 2026, inauguration drew massive crowds despite freezing weather, featuring performances, a block party, and oaths administered privately at midnight and publicly by Sanders.