'Communist' Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City's first Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani, branded a "communist" by many, has become New York City's first Muslim mayor.

The Democrat candidate beat former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican Curtis Silwa to seize power on Wednesday morning, UK time.

More than two million voters cast their votes in the mayoral election - the most since 1969.

The 34-year-old will make history not only as the city's first Muslim mayor, but also as the first South Asian to hold the office and one of the youngest mayors elected in modern times.

A tearful Mr Sliwa addressed his supporters just before 9.30pm local time, conceding defeat.

He said: "This movement continues on. The most powerful people in the world turned others against us.

"Let me warn the new leader, if you try to implement socialism, if you try to render our police weak and impotent, if you forsake the people's public safety, we're not only organising, but we are mobilising."

Mr Sliwa wished the new mayor luck, saying: "If he does well, we do well" and praised the voter turnout for the election.

President Trump was having a private dinner at the White House as the results came in.

He took to social media after the results were projected, saying: "'Trump wasn't on the ballot, and the shutdown, were the two reasons that Republicans lost elections tonight', according to pollsters."

Mr Trump had previously said he would slash federal funding to the city if Mr Mamdani was elected, and warned "this once great city has zero chance of success, or even survival" under the "communist".

The President had instead backed Mr Cuomo - and called any Jewish person who voted for Mr Mamdani a "stupid person" due to him being "a proven and self professed Jew hater".

Mr Mamdani, a staunch pro-Palestine supporter, has repeatedly denied all accusations of antisemitism.

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However, Jewish activists have already expressed their fury at Mr Mamdani's victory.

Sarah Forman, Executive Director of the New York Solidarity Network said: "Tonight the quiet normalisation of antisemitism just got very loud.

"For years, Mayor-elect Mr Mamdani's activism was steeped in coded language about Jews, performative boycotts, exclusion, and overt hostility towards Israel.

"Now, his views gain a platform with real consequences for the city that is home to the largest Jewish community in the diaspora."

Ms Forman added: "Tonight's result is not a blanket endorsement of his views, and it does not give his allies license to enact policies that harm the Jewish community.

"We must be united, and organise now to ensure our community is not a target of policymakers and to establish a future where we are valued in the city we love."

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, declared the ballot was a scam because Mr Mamdani - as well as Republican Mr Silwa - appeared on the ballot twice.

However, this is normal procedure in the city's elections if a candidate is backed by more than one party.

Meanwhile, Zarah Sultana, whose fellow Your Party co-leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigned for Mr Mamdani over the weekend, declared: "This is what socialist representation looks like" following his victory.

Former President Barack Obama said: "Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It's a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win.

"We've still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little brighter."

The New York Democratic Socialists of America celebrated Mr Mamdani's win on social media, adding: "The job's not done, and we're not going to rest on our laurels.

"We're going to mobilise our historic volunteer army to win Zohran's agenda here in the city and elect working class champions at every level of government."

Hasan Piker, a controversial blogger, branded Mr Cuomo a "racist" at Mr Mamdani's watch party on Tuesday night.

The left-wing political commentator, who previously claimed America deserved 9/11, accused Mr Cuomo of trying to tie Mr Mamdani to the terror attacks.

While speaking with radio host Sid Rosenberg last month, Mr Cuomo mentioned Mr Mamdani's lack of experience saying: "God forbid another 9/11. Can you imagine Mr Mamdani in the seat?"

When Mr Rosenberg claimed the Democrat candidate would be cheering, Mr Cuomo laughed before adding: "That's another problem."

Mr Piker told reporters: "This is an unacceptable form of bigotry."

Among the numerous other elections which took place on Tuesday night was that for Virginia's Attorney General, which was won by Democrat candidate Jay Jones.

Mr Jones was engulfed in controversy earlier this year when comments he had made about the former Republican Virginia House Speaker came to light.

With political violence high in the headlines following Charlie Kirk's killing, Vice President JD Vance revealed messages which appeared to show Mr Jones acknowledging that he hoped the speaker's children would die.

Mr Jones appeared to say: "Yes, I told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy."