Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani on NY mayor’s race

0:00The critics have spoken. World War II with Tom Hanks is a must-watch. It is on a scale no one's ever seen before. An enormous accomplishment. The world turned upside down. It's global history on the grandest scale. All wars changed the world, but none of them like the Second World War did. Unlike any World War II docuseries before. World War II with Tom Hanks. New episode Monday at 8, only on History. Next day on the app. You've never been one to settle, stand down, or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high standards to meet.

0:45Stop now? Not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now, go earn the degree. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit capella.edu to learn more. Welcome to The Beat. Tonight is election eve in America. You know the sound. Obama campaigning in Virginia over the weekend. They have the governor's race along with New Jersey. There's a special election in Texas, you probably heard. There's California holding a vote on changing rules to fight back against MAGA redistricting in other states. So we're following a lot. The newest big name on the ballot, really, for either party tomorrow, is Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist, who beat Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City.

1:31Cuomo's still running. Mamdani is favored in this rematch. Cuomo is running along with the Republican, Curtis Silva. And Mamdani really shocked the establishment with his fast rise. He lapped those better-known names I mentioned, plus the retiring mayor, Eric Adams. He is our guest moments away on this election eve. The 34-year-old was just 25 years old when Trump was first elected. And now this weekend, President Trump attacking him in a new interview. He's making waves with a populist message that is really both exciting and alarming people across the political spectrum. Attacks the top 1 % of New Yorkers.

2:07These are New Yorkers who make a million dollars a year or more. Freezing. You're right as the next mayor of New York City. Let's plunge into the detail.

2:18I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City. Entered the race as a relatively unknown candidate, polling at about 1%, but climbed his way up with a savvy social media strategy and progressive platform. What if Mondami becomes mayor? It's going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York. Hey, guys, it's Tuesday. Please sign up to Canvas. Allow me to put you at ease by smiling after every answer in a way that physically hurts my face. Dr. King, decades ago, he said, call it democracy or call it democratic socialism, there must be a better distribution of wealth for all of God's children in this country.

2:58Joining me now is Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee running for mayor of New York City. Thanks for being here. It's a pleasure to be on. It's great to have you. You've campaigned on affordability for a long time. Let's take a look. When we all fight together on this issue of housing, We are in a fight for housing justice for every single New Yorker. From 2021 to 2022, the rents went up 34%. We're committed to freezing the rent for the more than 2 million rent-stabilized tenants. It's the weight that is often costing so many, so much to actually build the housing we need in this city. Why has this always been a priority for you, and is it connecting?

3:36You know, I think first I want to just apologize for the mustache that you showed in that hypercut. It's just a horrific decision that I made, and one that I am not looking to repeat. housing continues to be the number one cost that's pushing new yorkers out of this city you know i used to be a foreclosure prevention housing counselor i'd work with homeowners struggling to stay in their homes and i found that this wasn't just an issue for tenants it was also for homeowners who were facing the possibility of delinquency on their mortgage because they were on the precipice of not being able to make ends meet and that was the case when i was a counselor is the case when i was an assembly member it continues to be the case now that i'm running to be the mayor and it's the number one way that we can actually keep new yorkers here is by ensuring that we bring down the cost of living specific to housing costs.

4:16You talk about freezing rent. Is that something that you view as a bold new thing? Or, as you've also mentioned, something that the mayor has the power to do that past administrations have done? I think it's a mixture in that this clearly has precedent. We saw the previous administration did this three times. And we are living in a time of politics where politicians try to convince the public that there's nothing they can do. And so to even have the idea that we could actually help people, It's seen as a departure from what so many are being told in this moment. And freezing the rent, this is about two and a half million New Yorkers in a city of eight and a half million.

4:50The mayor has the power to freeze their rent. I am saying I'm going to do that for four years. And that's in stark contrast to the current mayor, Eric Adams, who's raised the rent by more than 12 percent and who decided that the person he saw his record most in anyone running for mayor was Andrew Cuomo. Your campaign's making news with President Obama calling you. He says you're impressive to watch. Can you tell us what you talked about? And do you want his endorsement? You know, I appreciated that conversation with the president. I appreciated his thoughts that he shared about our campaign. And I also shared with him that when I was facing the bigoted and racist attacks, especially that have amplified over the last few weeks, that I looked to his state of the union, a state of a more perfect union address as an inspiration for how to rise above the 24 hour news cycle of an electoral campaign and speak to the soul of the politics in our city and in our country.

5:42And I really appreciated the model that he presented. Did you tell him as a nominee you would like his endorsement? I didn't bring up endorsements because frankly, in these final days, the only endorsement I'm looking for is from that of the people who call the city home. Let's talk a little more policy because budget's a big deal. Your platform says you'll raise the corporate tax rate to 11 and a half percent. And you point out just like neighboring New Jersey, That's 5B. And then tax the wealthiest 1 % above basically people over millionaires, the flat 2 % tax. That's 4B. Go ahead, 4B. Okay.

6:13And so what does that get you? And what do you say to people who are concerned that New Yorkers are already taxed enough? So that would get you$9 billion. And then we also said that we would save an additional$1 billion through procurement reform, through the following of the independent budget office's analysis of hiring more fiscal auditors, And also by finally starting to collect on the fines and fees from landlords that owe the city currently about$800 million over a period of overall fines and fees of about$2.5 billion. So this is our revenue plan. This would more than pay for our economic agenda.

6:45It would actually allow us to start Trump proofing our city. And what I mean by that is we're seeing right now what the Trump agenda portends for New Yorkers. This is a man who ran a presidential campaign on the premise of cheaper groceries that is now trying to cut snap benefits to make it even harder to afford those same groceries. And we have to protect the New Yorkers with the least from the attacks from the man with the most power in this country. And that's also what I see as a responsibility to be the next mayor of the city. So let's get into this. Some people say, oh, that's a bad idea.

7:15They don't want the government that involved. OK, but then they're probably not New York Democrats, to be honest. Other people say, sounds like a good idea, but you can't afford it. And so I'm going to read in detail from Free Market Manhattan Institute. You're familiar with these critiques. They say Mamdani believes tax hikes will make him able to fund new initiatives. But the current city council budget actually gives you a choice, quote, budget cuts with tax increases or greater cuts without them. the new$116 billion budget projects large gaps for$5 to$6 billion, 2027 to 2029. So translation, they're saying, oh, you want to get new money, but that money's already spoken for because you're going to be in the red.

7:58Your response? Well, they're talking about$5 to$6 billion. The proposal I've put forward is about$10 billion. And I think that there's an amount of that money that's needed to fight back against these kinds of cuts. And then there's an amount of it that needs to actually fund an affirmative economic agenda. And what I mean by that is for too long as Democrats, we've thought that simply fighting back against Donald Trump is a sufficient political message. We also have to fight for something. And so at the heart of my campaign is a commitment to make buses fast and free. That would cost around$700 million.

8:28That's something that fits firmly within the question of political reality. It's just, do we have the political will to deliver it? The other commitment is about universal child care. This is something that would cost around$6 billion, something the governor is very much interested in, has been fighting for for quite some time. And I appreciate not only her endorsement, but also the shared commitment on this question of affordability. She hasn't endorsed all your funding plans yet. No, but she has said that this is of immense importance to her. And what I've said time and again is the funding plans I've put forward are the ones I think are most straightforward and direct.

8:58And also if there's another means by which to raise the funding, the most important thing is that we actually fund this thing. The last thing I'll say is, oftentimes we talk about these initiatives only through the frame of cost as opposed to what they generate these initiatives will also generate significant economic benefit 700 million is the cost of free buses the assessment from experts is that it would generate 1.5 billion in economic benefit five six billion dollars is the cost of universal child care when they implemented it in quebec it had a 10 to 1 return because there were so many more single mothers and mothers of young children who are now entering into the workforce my point is that we have to also understand that We can only benefit in this city when we are willing to invest in this city.

9:38These are some forms of investment. Let's talk about Andrew Cuomo. One of the reasons you became something of an overnight political star is not just that you won a primary, but you beat Andrew Cuomo, who, frankly, a lot of Democrats around the country know more than you. And I think a year ago that was true in New York. Yes, definitely. Right? You beat him once. We'll see what happens Tuesday. He was just doing a new interview this weekend, and he made some remarks about diversity. I wanted to give you a chance to respond. I'll just play them in full. This was on MSNBC's weekend. Diversity can be a weakness if you have antipathy among groups, Jonathan, if you have racism or anti-Semitism, et cetera.

10:20So then you'd have friction. And so you have to work very hard to keep it as a positive and to make sure that it's not a negative and you have zero tolerance for any racism, any anti-Semitism, etc. Your response? This is the former governor, a Democrat ostensibly of this state, who is saying that diversity can be a weakness and then proceeded to confuse the two black hosts with each other. More and more what we're seeing is that Andrew Cuomo, who ran an entire primary campaign on the premise that he was best suited to beat Donald Trump, as soon as we defeated him by 13 points, he proceeded almost immediately to get on his hands and knees to beg that same president for his help and the donors of that same president for their help.

11:11And now his closing message is to sound even more like the president than anyone else. Are you saying a vote for Cuomo is like a vote for Trump at this point? Yes, I am saying that. And I'm saying that because Donald Trump has handpicked his candidate. That candidate's name is Andrew Cuomo. And New Yorkers have the chance to handpick their fighter. And I believe that candidate should be me. I want to cover a bunch of ground with you. This is diving into New York ballot measures. Might be a little wheezy, but then I heard you like that kind of stuff. Proposition two says basically fast track affordable housing.

11:42You've said you're the affordable housing guy. You probably know where this is going, right? I can see where this is going. And you're... But I'm enjoying the ride. OK, good. Your progressive teammate, if you will, Lander, backs this. Cuomo happens to back it. Take that for what you will. And the New York Times reports their words, quote, Ramdami is conspicuously not taking a position on the measure. We're getting close to Tuesday. Why not tell the voters where you stand? So I take this decision very seriously. It's one that I haven't yet made on where I stand on these ballot measures. It's one that I'm going to share when I go out and vote on Election Day.

12:15And it's because I am both incredibly excited at the prospect of building more affordable housing across the city. And I also take very seriously the concerns that have been raised, especially by labor unions on the question of generating good jobs over the course of the same process. So let me jump in. So it sounds like a mixed bag thing. And you're the anti-politician and you've done pretty well on that. Why is it now as you're on the precipice that you wouldn't want to lead your coalition with a solution, with a plan? I mean, it almost sounds like for whatever reason on this housing issue, you're now sounding like some of those older politicians.

12:48How could you? How could you? Well, look, it's Tuesday. You probably know where you stand. It is Tuesday. And the thing that I think is most important is to be honest with New Yorkers and to make promises that I can keep. And I want to be very, very intentional about what I share with New Yorkers and where I stand. That's why I'm taking the time that I am. As soon as I get to the decision, I've now promised probably four reporters, but now I'll stay to the fifth. Okay. I'll also be sharing with you, my friend. All right, great. An issue that's not necessarily the most important for New York City politics, but that's come up a bunch, is sort of where you stand on some of these issues that relate to the Jewish community and Israel.

13:22What do you say to Jewish New Yorkers, and it's the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, as you know, who are concerned that maybe there's a double standard here? Criticizing governments is legitimate, but is there a double standard or an extra attention on that country, which is the only Jewish state? What do you say to that? What I say is that my politics are universal. And just today I was asked, you know, you refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, that you only recognize its right to exist. Would you apply that elsewhere? Would you apply that to Saudi Arabia, to Pakistan?

13:51And I say, absolutely. Because the worth of any position is that you universally apply it across the world. Well, that's specifically you're saying you're against sort of theocratic or religious states. Yes. And my point here is that I've heard from Jewish New Yorkers that, you know, I disagree with you, but I'd be more comfortable if I knew that you held the standard for everyone. And my point is that, yes, it has to be a standard you hold for all. The other week I was on the M57, which is, by the way, the slowest bus in New York City, 4.9 miles an hour. And I was sitting there and a woman to my right introduced herself.

14:18She was a speech therapist. She told me that she was Jewish. She said that her daughter is a huge fan of the campaign phone banks. And she said, I'm not so short. She was like, I just don't know where I stand on some of the questions about you and how you feel about the city. And I made very clear to her in the conversation that we had that I am looking to lead the city and I'm looking to every single person that calls the city home, not just those that agree with me or vote for me. And I know that there are many New Yorkers who have a wide variety of views on Israel and Palestine. I'm one of them.

14:46And my job will be to lead all of them. And let me just ask it this way, very directly. We've spoken before, but not on air for a Jewish New Yorker who thinks, well, wait a minute. And I'm asking this without a premise about the answer. Does he have a double standard about this country versus what's going on in China or Russia or Syria? Does that relate to Judaism in some way? What do you say to that person? I think that if you can point me to a human rights violation or a war crime, I will condemn it no matter who it is that has done it. The concern that I have so often is also driven by a question of the unique complicity we have as Americans in what we are funding, what we are actually complicit in by virtue of our tax dollars being spent on it.

15:24And that's something that I think motivates many to ensure that those tax dollars are a reflection of our morals. All right. You have spoken about these financial plans you have and you made a point on New York radio, which a lot of people listen to, to address 50 cent. And you know, you know, he's a critic. He's a critic of high taxes. Go ahead and then we'll play it. Go ahead. I didn't even know what my salary would be until I opened up Instagram and I saw this thing, which was like 50 cent offers Mom Donnie X amount of money. I was like, that's a very specific amount of money. I was like, oh my God.

15:59So now we'll do this in reverse order. He said, I'll give you$258 ,000 and a first class one-way ticket out of New York. That's what you're referencing. So you know that. Here's what you did say, though, in a serious kind of policy radio interview. Let's take a look. And I know if 50 Cent is listening, he's not going to be happy about this. Tends to not like this tax policy, but I want to be very clear. This is about$20 ,000 a year. It's a rounding error. And all of these things together, they make every New Yorker's life better, including those who are actually getting taxed. What do you say to him now where, by the way, he has moved out of the city, but he's a classic New Yorker.

16:33I'm sure you like some of his songs. Oh, man. It's actually tough for me in that way. Yeah. So where does this debate go? Incredible songs. Because his argument, and it's fun, but it's also what we hear from certain people. His argument is there are a lot of people in New York who make a lot of money because they contribute a lot. And you're going after them. What do you say to him tonight? You know, what I would say to you, 50, if you are indeed watching or anyone else is watching this show is I continue to think that having the top one percent of New York City or making more than a million dollars a year, having them pay two percent more for an economic agenda that would transform every New Yorker's life, including their own, is something that is worthwhile.

17:08while. And the reason I say including their own is when you see a city like ours that is underfunding its city agencies, that is pulling back on the most basic things like library services and trash cans, everybody feels the knock-on effects of that. And my job as someone who believes deeply in the public sector is to ensure that we're delivering public excellence. And that means every dollar that we raise, I want to be able to prove to you that it's every dollar that's being well spent. That's the relationship there. And I do have to say, even though we have a disagreement on tax policy, every time I get a death threat, I still listen to many men.

17:42It's true. Well, you take many men for motivation. I was going to say your answer sounds a little bit like clickety clank, clickety clank. The money goes into my piggy bank. Wow. And if we had more time, we'd do more 50. Can we do some fun stuff before I let you get back on the campaign trail? I've never asked any candidate this, but James Carville was here. Okay. And he's been a little bit more of, I think he would call himself a centrist. Okay. He said Zorman Dami is more on message than any candidate he's ever worked with. And he said, hands, you know, hands down, that's a positive. So here's the test.

18:15Oh God. How quickly can you go from this topic back to affordability? Okay. Halloween. Here's the thing. You're seeing candy prices shoot up across New York city. And it's part of the fact that we're the most expensive city in the United States of America. We got to take a look at that. The movie Godfather. You know, there are too many people who think that the only way they could afford to live in New York City is if their father already lived here. And the fact of the matter is you should be able to afford your own apartment and not just have to pray to God to get there. Incredible. Right. You got there.

18:45Nice work. Lightning round is in a word or a sentence, but it's your mic. If you go longer, you go longer. In a word or a sentence. I am a Democratic Socialist because I believe in the dignity of all people. I am the Democratic nominee for New York because I beat Andrew Cuomo by 13 points. A reason conservatives are welcome in your Democratic Party is they also have to pay rent. Something Democrats are right about. That we have to take on authoritarian administration in Washington, D.C. Something Democrats have gotten wrong. We need to bring back working people as the focus of our party. Alright, New York.

19:25This shouldn't be hard for you. My bodega order is... Egg and cheese on a roll with jalapenos. Bagels or Bialis? Bagels. Sure. Come on. How would you... My favorite subway line is... For nostalgia, the 9 train. Okay. And right now? The N train. Okay. Hashtag never. Our train hashtag rarely. You can call yourself a real New Yorker when... You know what a bodega is. Your favorite cannabis shop? I would have to frequent them more often to have a favorite. Okay, there we go. And a couple big picture ones. Okay. The biggest challenge facing America is... A belief that politics could be more than this.

20:17And facing New York? that we could actually have a city that New Yorkers could afford. The biggest challenge facing the Republican Party. That their agenda is one that is deeply unpopular with Americans. And the Democratic Party. That we are missing an affirmative message in a moment when New Yorkers are crying out for it. Final two. If I lose, it's because. I didn't come on this show earlier. If I win, it's because. I came here with a few days left before Election Day. Zoram Amdani, you are very busy right now. Thank you for coming through. Thank you, brother. Appreciate it. That's the top Democrat in New York.

20:55Next, we have the top Democrat in the country, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Trump and millions of Americans worried now about whether they'll have enough to eat going into the holidays. That's a newsworthy interview coming up. Another twist in crypto corruption allegations as Donald Trump bobs, weaves, and gets the edit treatment over at the newly refined 60 Minutes. That's been a hot story going into the Newsweek. and Obama back on the campaign trail. We'll show you what he said with Gene Robinson. We're back together in 90 seconds.

21:28The critics have spoken. World War II with Tom Hanks is a must-watch. It is on a scale no one's ever seen before. An enormous accomplishment. The world turned upside down. It's global history on the grandest scale. All wars changed the world, but none of them like the Second World War did. unlike any World War II docuseries before. World War II with Tom Hanks. New episode Monday at 8, only on History. Next day on the app. You've never been one to settle, stand down, or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high standards to meet.

22:14Stop now? Not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now, go earn the degree. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit capella.edu to learn more. Every wireless service comes with a cost, right? Wrong. The TextNow app lets you do your thing for free. Get real talk, real text, and 5G data for must-have apps with no monthly bill. Need more data? Add it right from the app. Done? Go back to free. No long-term contracts. No pressure. No surprises, just wireless that works around you. TextNow, we've got your back. Download TextNow in your app store today.

22:55Wireless plans require the purchase of a SIM card. Visit textnow.com for terms and conditions. We're seeing right now what the Trump agenda portends for New Yorkers. This is a man who ran a presidential campaign on the premise of cheaper groceries that is now trying to cut SNAP benefits to make it even harder to afford those same groceries. Mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani there speaking out on election eve. We just heard from him and now we turn to Gene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, MSNBC analyst. I'm curious what you think of that new face in the party. Well, that's quite a new face.

23:31Zoran Mamdani is clearly a really talented politician. He's a very lucky politician because he is running against two opponents who are not popular, whom New York clearly don't want to vote for. They don't want to vote for Cuomo or Flyewa. And also, he clearly represents a sort of generational changing of the guard that a lot of Democratic voters have been waiting for, and I think a lot of younger Democratic voters are really excited about. Yeah, as you mentioned, we go from a Democratic president who famously left the stage early after being accused of being on stage for too long. And here you have someone who, as I mentioned, he was 25 when Donald Trump was first elected.