Zohran Mamdani, left, is running for the mayor of New York City. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is on the right. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu; Kevin Dietsch )
ZOHRAN MAMDANI PRESS CONFERENCE ABRUPTLY ENDS WITH AIDE PULLING HIM AWAY DURING REPORTERS QUESTIONS
The self-professed socialist is also expected to meet with Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., though no date has been set. Many have speculated on how the two Democrats’ opposing stances on Israel will play into the meeting and Schumer’s decision.
Longtime Democratic lawmaker Schumer, who is Jewish, has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has condemned the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. Meanwhile, Mamdani, who is Muslim, has been a staunch critic of Israel and a supporter of BDS.
Mamdani has faced backlash over his statements on Israel, including declining to say whether Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state and his initial refusal to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada." However, he recently began distancing himself from the phrase.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Mamdani told business leaders that he would not use the phrase and would "discourage" others from doing so. He is expected to clarify his position on the phrase as soon as this week.
NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani briefly speaks with reporters as he leaves the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
MAMDANI'S FAR-LEFT ALLIES AIM TO PRIMARY HAKEEM JEFFRIES AND OTHER NYC HOUSE DEMOCRATS
The meeting with Jeffries comes on the heels of Mamdani’s recent visit to D.C., where he attended a breakfast hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and mingled with some of the party’s most powerful players. Since then, he secured the endorsement of Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who serves as the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.
"He’s a very charismatic, relatable person," Khanna told FOX & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones on Thursday.
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Mamdani is running in a crowded race against former N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom are running as independents, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nyc-democratic-socialist-mamdani-meet-top-democrat-endorsement-decision-line