Everybody is talking about Zohran Mamdani, the state legislator and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee who has become a national news story. But not everyone understands why Mamdani has captured so much attention.

It’s unclear whether Andrew Cuomo, who lost by double digits to Mamdani in the primary, or Eric Adams, whose first term was marred by a federal corruption indictment, is the better bet to beat

President Donald Trump issued a provocative threat during a Cabinet meeting this week: If New York City elects a “communist” mayor, he might take the city over, just like he might take over Washington,

Mamdani won the Democratic primary, NBC News projects, and will face the incumbent, Eric Adams, in the general election. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo may keep running, too.

Trump labels New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani a "communist" as Republicans aim to paint the progressive assemblyman as an extremist ahead of midterm elections.

Trump floated taking over the city under a Mamdani mayoralty, saying, “We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to.”

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump was asked about the New York City mayor’s race. Mamdani won the Democratic primary last month, drawing the ire of Trump. Mamdani is a self-described democratic socialist. Trump has consistently referred to Mamdani as a communist; Mamdani has said that he is not.

Political activist group Our Revolution wants to make sure that Democrats don’t sabotage New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and has launched a petition calling on “party