NYC’s smiling socialist mayor is VERY different behind the scenes, as progressives who crossed him allege tyrannical and ruthless behavior

New York City‘s charismatic new socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has a ruthless and tyrannical streak behind closed doors, progressives who have crossed him say. 

The 34-year-old skyrocketed to popularity among New Yorkers and Americans alike during his mayoral campaign as his team positioned him as a man of the people.

Known for his smiling and seemingly unflappable attitude, Mamdani attacked both Donald Trump and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat whom he deemed too centrist.  

But sources inside Mamdani’s political circle have now alleged that the mayor wields his power for personal gain and has no qualms sidelining old friends or his ideologies to further his agenda, The New York Times reported.

He has been accused of snubbing friends, meddling in political campaigns and strong-arming liberal nonprofits to protect his own interests. 

New York Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, who did not support Mamdani’s campaign, has seemingly defended him and suggested that his apparent backstabbing is necessary.

‘Every successful political person has to either come to the table with the ability to be a little bit ruthless from time to time, or they have to pick it up quickly,’ Jacobs explained. ‘Otherwise, you don’t survive.’

Mamdani’s top political adviser, Morris Katz, appeared to dismiss the accusations, telling the newspaper: ‘The mayor is incredibly popular, and he’s going to harness that popularity. People should understand that and be on the right side.’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been accused of snubbing friends, meddling in political campaigns and strong-arming liberal nonprofits to protect his own interests

He has allegedly blocked his allies from excelling in an effort to protect his working relationship with Governor Kathy Hochul

Mamdani has demonstrated campaign tyranny since he was elected mayor last November, the insiders alleged.

Just last month, he reportedly blocked the Working Families Party from backing Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s gubernatorial campaign in an attempt to protect his working relationship with Hochul, despite previously bashing her. 

But this was not the first time that Mamdani has seemingly done Hochul’s bidding.

His team reportedly hid his former roommate and fellow Democratic Socialist State Senator Jabari Brisport from camera view during a January press event celebrating his expansion of free childcare at Hochul’s request.

Brisport, who places full blame on the governor, claimed that Mamdani was apologetic after the incident.

The mayor reportedly tried to leverage his relationships with liberal politicians and union leaders to stop Julie Menin from becoming Speaker of the New York City Council, but to no avail.

He has been accused of trying to influence several state and congressional races by lobbying against candidates he opposes and discouraging his allies from making public campaign endorsements.

Mamdani urged Brooklyn’s Democratic councilman Chi Osse not to challenge US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, allegedly telling the councilman during a phone call that he could not win.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani (center), Governor Kathy Hochul (left), and New York City Council speaker Julie Meni (right) attend the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade in March in NYC

Just last month, he allegedly blocked the Working Families Party from endorsing Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s (left) campaign. At Hochul’s request, Mamdani’s team hid state Senator Jabari Brisport (right) from camera view during a January press event celebrating his expansion of free childcare

The mayor argued that a high-profile fight would ‘undermine the left’ and offered Osse a position in his governing coalition if he were to drop his campaign, sources told the Times.

When Osse failed to oblige, Mamdani reportedly rescinded the councilman’s invitation to his election victory party.

He then personally lobbied against Osse’s campaign at a meeting of the Democratic Socialists of America. Osse ultimately dropped out of the race. 

Mamdani also turned his back on US Representative Nydia Velazquez after she announced her retirement, despite her being the first congressional leader to back his mayoral bid.

The pair allegedly had discussions about Velazquez’s potential replacement, with the congresswoman wanting to back city councilwoman Tiffany Caban.

But Caban, a fellow Democratic Socialist, criticized Mamdani’s mayoral bid, so he tried to tee up state Representative Claire Valdez for the job instead.

Mamdani asked Velazquez not to publicly endorse a candidate and then went and backed Valdez himself.

Velazquez is understood to have felt ‘disrespected’ by Mamdani’s actions and ultimately backed Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the primary race.