JD Vance has condemned New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of failing to show “gratitude” to the United States. The vice president made the remarks during an interview on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show,” where he was asked about Mamdani’s prospects as a leading Democrat.
“Does Mamdani, when you hear him speak – is this a man who feels gratitude for the United States of America?” Vance asked. He added that while he does not know Mamdani personally, “my sense is that he has had a very good life in this country” and that “it would be nice for him to occasionally show a sense of gratitude instead of just attacking the U.S. for all of its problems.”
The vice president also referenced his grandmother, saying she “had multiple relatives who served in World War Two.” This comes days after Vance made a gaffe by claiming the war ended with “some kind of negotiation.”
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted Mamdani. In June, President Trump called the candidate “a 100% Communist Lunatic,” and earlier this month insiders told The Telegraph that the president considered intervening in the race to prevent Mamdani from winning. Mamdani subsequently launched a “five boroughs against Trump” tour to highlight the administration’s impact on New York City.
Eleven candidates are running for mayor of New York on 4 November 2025. Incumbent Eric Adams is standing as an independent, alongside Republican Curtis Sliwa and former federal prosecutor James Walden.
