Mehdi Hasan Challenges Critics Following Zohran Mamdani's Historic Victory as First Muslim Mayor of New York City

Journalist Mehdi Hasan has been a staunch advocate for Zohran Mamdani throughout the New York City mayoral campaign.

Following Zohran Mamdani's groundbreaking victory as New York City's first Muslim mayor on Tuesday, journalist Mehdi Hasan took to social media to challenge the mayor-elect's critics. The 34-year-old Democratic socialist concluded his victory address with the title track from the 2004 Bollywood film Dhoom, prompting Hasan's pointed response.

"Hey white supremacists, Zohran ended his speech tonight with 'Dhoom Machale'. Bollywood music. Cry more, racist losers," Hasan declared on X.

Mamdani is scheduled to take office officially on January 1, 2026. After securing his victory, he shared footage from the City Hall subway station featuring the words "Zohran for New York City" displayed on screen.

During his address, Mamdani celebrated the emerging generation of New Yorkers, stating, "We'll fight for you because we are you. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty."

He also directed remarks toward US President Donald Trump: "Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up. To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us… If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."

Hasan has consistently supported Mamdani throughout the mayoral race.

Earlier on Election Day, the former Al Jazeera journalist criticized billionaire Elon Musk after he misspelled Mamdani's name in an X post endorsing former governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

Hasan responded, "'Whatever his name is'. You can take the boy out of apartheid, but can you really take the apartheid out of the boy?"

Previously, he condemned US Vice President JD Vance for mocking Mamdani's discussion about discrimination experienced by Muslim New Yorkers following 9/11. "Imagine being married to a Brown woman and having mixed-race kids and then publicly mocking other Brown people as they talk publicly and emotionally about their experience of racism," Hasan wrote on X, describing Vance as "just a bad person."

Far-right activist Laura Loomer subsequently attacked Hasan, stating, "JD Vance's wife isn't a Muslim…Our problem isn't with brown people. It's with Islam."

Born in Kampala, Uganda, to scholar Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, Zohran Mamdani was raised in both Africa and New York. His campaign centered on addressing the city's cost-of-living crisis through increased taxation of wealthy residents.