Photo: YouTube/FoxNews

For months, Donald Trump has railed against Zohran Mamdani, denouncing the democratic socialist as a “communist” and threatening to withhold federal funds from New York City under his potential mayoralty. But on Wednesday, the Democratic nominee used an appearance on Fox News, the president’s preferred network, to address Trump directly and contrast himself from his rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani joined host Martha MacCallum on her show The Story, addressing topics ranging from the recently secured ceasefire agreement in Gaza to his past remarks on the NYPD. In one exchange MacCallum asked Mamdani about his qualifications to be mayor, citing a quote from Trump who said the assemblymember has “never worked a day in his life.”

With MacCallum’s mention of Trump, Mamdani turned towards the camera, saying he wanted to take a moment to speak directly to the president. He also used the opportunity to knock both Cuomo and the incumbent mayor Eric Adams.

Zohran Mamdani uses his appearance on Fox News to “speak directly to the president,” since "he might be watching right now."Mamdani looks straight into the Fox camera as he says this >>> pic.twitter.com/fOCkFeG0QI

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 15, 2025

“I will not be a mayor like Mayor Adams who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail. I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo who will call you to ask how to win this election. I can do those things on my own. I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That’s the way that I’m going to lead this city,” Mamdani said. “That’s the way the partnership I want to build not only with Washington, D.C., but with anyone across this country. I think it’s important because too often the focus on the needs of working class Americans, working class New Yorkers are put to the side as we talk more and more about the very kinds of corrupt politicians like Andrew Cuomo that delivered us into this kind of crisis.”

MacCallum opened the interview by asking Mamdani if he would give Trump credit for the newly implemented ceasefire deal in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. He suggested that it was too soon. “I think it’s too early to do so. But if it proves to be something that is lasting, something that is durable, then I think that’s where you give credit,” he said.

Mamdani: And when it comes to the cease-fire, I am thankful and I have hope that it will actually be endured and lasting. I have concerns because I’ve seen reports still in the last few days that five Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military and that’s what gives me pause… pic.twitter.com/2Am9KPf28L

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 15, 2025

Mamdani was also questioned about his past social media posts criticizing the NYPD, comments that he has said are at odds with the campaign he is currently running and were borne out of “frustration” following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. MacCallum asked if Mamdani would apologize publicly to police officers as he has promised he would and he said he would, once again turning towards the camera.

“Absolutely. I’ll apologize to police officers right here because this is the apology that I’ve been sharing with many rank-and-file officers. And I apologize because of the fact that I’m looking to work with these officers and I know that these officers, these men and women who serve in the NYPD, put their lives on the line every single day,” Mamdani said.

More on Mamdani

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