New York City socialist Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is being ripped for advocating “the abolition of private property” — as a video resurfaced of him touting the radical position this week.
“If there was any system that could guarantee each person housing — whether you call it the abolition of private property or you call it a statewide housing guarantee — it is preferable to what is going on right now,” Mamdani said in the video shared by RNC Research.
“People try to play gotcha games about these kinds of things. Look, I care more about whether somebody has a home.”
The RNC reposting of the old clip — first appearing on the “End Wokeness” group’s X site — is a strong indication that GOP officials will seek to tie Democratic opponents to Mamdani in the 2026 congressional midterm elections, especially if he wins the mayoralty.
Suggesting or supporting stripping owners of property rights without just compensation is controversial and in some instances, illegal.
Mamdani, in another resurfaced clip, talks up “seizing the means of production” — a policy long advanced by Marxists.
President Trump has called Mamdani a “communist.” He identifies as a Democratic socialist.
“Mamdani will be a gift to Republicans,” said New York State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox.
“But if he wins the mayoralty he’ll destroy New York.”
New York’s House Republicans piled on Thursday.
Here’s the latest on NYC mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani
“Seize the means of production & ‘abolition of private property.’ Two ideas shared by two communists: Karl Marx & Zohran Mamdani,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), whose mom fled communist Cuba.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican who represents the lower Hudson Valley who also reposted the Mamdani video said, “Marxism. Communism. Socialism. Call it whatever you want. It’s bat shit insane and he must be defeated at the ballot box in November.”
Mamdani’s campaign had no immediate comment.
His housing plan calls for 200,000 new affordable units over ten year.
A 33-year-old Queens assemblyman, Mamdani shocked the political world by defeating ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary last month.
Mamdani is now favored to win the general election against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and Cuomo. Both Adams and Cuomo are running on independent ballot lines.
Mamdani, during a series of meetings over the past week, has sought to allay the concerns of city business leaders about his plans to boost taxes on millionaires and corporations by $9 billion to fund a subsidized housing expansion, fare-free buses and child care.
He also downplayed some of his controversial clips touting Marxist ideas.
Major Democratic leaders in New York haven’t endorsed him — at least not yet — including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Mamdani is scheduled to meet with Jeffries on Friday.
