Zohran Mamdani, the media-savvy mayor of New York, has defied expectations by maintaining and even increasing his popularity despite near-daily attacks from the rightwing New York Post. Six months into his mayoralty, Mamdani has succeeded where many predecessors failed: he has bested the city's most powerful tabloid, owned by Rupert Murdoch.
Popularity Surge Amid Criticism
A Siena University poll from late June found that Mamdani's favorability had increased over the previous two months, with 58% of New Yorkers approving of the mayor and only 26% disapproving. These ratings surpass those of the Democratic party as a whole. The surge comes despite the Post publishing multiple pieces on the mayor daily, covering topics from his stance on Israel to his wife's holiday.
Ross Barkan, author of the upcoming book The Revolutionary: Zohran Mamdani and the Remaking of American Politics, noted that the Post has historically weakened liberal mayors like Bill de Blasio, but has failed to find a line of attack that sticks with Mamdani. “With De Blasio they had one, and it was very straightforward: the feckless liberal who can’t govern the city,” Barkan said. “Mamdani isn’t like that. He can’t run for president, so he’s not distracted by the national spotlight.”
Media Strategy Neutralizes Attacks
Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters for America, described the Post's approach as a “spaghetti against the wall strategy.” He said Mamdani understands media and bypasses traditional channels. “He has his own distribution system, his own ability to engage with the public. He doesn’t rely on a third-party system, he’s his own storyteller, and that is a really effective way of neutralizing the attacks,” Carusone explained.
In the lead-up to the election, the Post warned of apocalyptic scenarios, including businesses fleeing and city bankruptcy. However, data shows no evidence of business relocation, and office leasing increased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter. “Everything was apocalyptic, but the amount that they’ve overexaggerated all these things becomes sort of self-defeating,” Carusone said. “The vibes are actually pretty good.”
Political Influence Grows
Mamdani's influence extends beyond his own popularity; the three candidates he endorsed for Congress won their primaries in June. Barkan, who ran for state senate with Mamdani as his campaign manager, observed that the Post remains a “ship at sea” in dealing with Mamdani. “While the New York Post is benefiting in terms of page views and interest, the reality is they have not moved the needle politically against him,” Barkan said. “They attack Mamdani every day, but the average New Yorker looks at some of their criticisms and rolls their eyes.”
