New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani slams capitalism on CNN, cites MLK to defend socialism
Mamdani quotes Martin Luther King Jr. saying there must be more distribution of wealth
By
Gabriel Hays Fox News
Published June 27, 2025 9:22am EDT
New York City mayoral candidate
Zohran Mamdani did not hide his opinion of capitalism on Thursday night, saying he disliked it and invoking Martin Luther King Jr. to bolster his position.
During an interview with CNN anchor Erin Burnett, Mamdani embraced his identity as a democratic socialist and said he has many problems with capitalism.
"No, I have many critiques of capitalism," he said in response to Burnett asking him if he likes it.
Democratic New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani told CNN on Thursday that he has "many critiques" of capitalism. (Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Mamdani secured the Democratic Party nomination for New York City mayor on Tuesday in an upset over former New York Governor
Andrew Cuomo and several other candidates.
Mamdani ran a campaign focused on making one of the country’s most expensive places to live more attainable for average residents.
His proposals call for multi-year rent freezes and massive investment in public housing. Critics argue his proposals could worsen existing problems in the rental market. He has also taken criticism for not condemning the anti-Israel rallying cry, "Globalize the Intifada."
During his CNN appearance Thursday, Mamdani touted his plans to freeze rent and increase taxes on New York’s wealthiest residents. Burnett followed up by asking about him being described as a democratic socialist.
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New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani slams capitalism on CNN, cites MLK to defend socialism