New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was shredded by critics over a tone-deaf request following his landslide victory on Tuesday.
Mamdani shared a video on X outlining the transition process ahead, emphasizing that “a lot of work” remains to be done. Addressing supporters, New York City’s new mayor noted his earlier request to pause campaign donations but now encouraged them to contribute funds for the transition.
He explained that the money would now be needed to hire experts, build infrastructure, and support the extensive preparations required for his incoming administration. “Thank you, New York City. Together we made history. Now let’s get to work,” he said in the video.
But Mamdani was slammed online after asking for money from the same hard-pressed working class New Yorkers he claimed to champion during his campaign.
One person wrote, “It’s been less than 24 hours since Mamdani won the election & he’s already asking for money. Congratulations New York City, bravo.”
Another added, “Islamist and Communist Mamdani promises ‘free’ stuff. Now he begs for donations?” Yet another person commented, “Already begging for money. What a joke.”
Yet another X user shared a photo of Alex Soros, son of billionaire George Soros, whose left-wing non-profit network backed Mamdani’s rise, along with the mayor-elect, writing: “When you ask taxpayers for more money — make sure to ask your friends first.”
With that in mind, an expose published two weeks ago lays out in detail how Mamdani got his start and rose to become the face of the left-wing socialist movement in the U.S.
Fox News noted that Mamdani’s rise has come “even while campaigning with radical imams, some of whom have supported terrorists and terrorist financiers,” and has been greatly assisted with millions in donations from groups associated with leftist billionaire George Soros and radical anti-Semite Linda Sarsour.
A database of 110 groups supporting New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani reveals a closely connected network of organizations that identify as Muslim or socialist, working alongside 76 Democratic Party affiliates, allied groups, and labor unions, Fox noted.
Two networks—activist Linda Sarsour’s MPower organizations and a coalition known as Emgage—play central roles in this political alliance.
According to tax filings, MPower and Emgage have received nearly $2.5 million in recent years from billionaire George Soros’ Open Society philanthropies, the report said.
MPower and Emgage are part of a close-knit coalition of roughly 30 ethnic and religious organizations that includes CAIR Action — the political arm of the Council on American-Islamic Relations — as well as the Islamic Circle of North America, the Muslim Action Coalition, the Yemeni American Merchants Association, the Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group, and Desis Rising Up and Moving, the report added.
These groups have actively supported Mamdani’s campaign efforts through coordinated social media outreach, canvassing operations, and voter mobilization initiatives, Fox reported.
Collectively, the organizations have combined annual revenues of roughly $24 million and have supported Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s campaign through endorsements, fundraising, social media promotion, and voter outreach, said the Fox report.
The result is a strategically built political operation that has helped advance the socialist ideals long championed by activist Linda Sarsour and members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
This coalition has expanded its influence beyond New York, backing candidates in states including Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, and California. MPower and Emgage have aligned with both the DSA and the Democratic Party through initiatives such as Emgage’s “Defend and Advance” campaign, which highlights Mamdani and Virginia lieutenant governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi as key figures, the outlet’s report noted.
The “Defend and Advance” roster also features other Democratic candidates and officeholders, including Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Fox added.