Trump Brands 3 Mamdani-Backed New York Primary Winners Communists

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 25

Three Mamdani-backed candidates — Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez and Brad Lander — beat establishment Democrats in Tuesday’s New York primaries, drawing fresh attacks from President Trump.
Trump responded in Truth Social posts and at a Wednesday Oval Office press conference, calling the winners “solid Communists,” saying socialism and communism “never ever worked,” and arguing a democratic socialist nominee would help Republicans.
The remarks extend Trump’s running feud with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he has repeatedly called a communist while also describing as a “very nice guy” after their meetings.
That clash has also centered on Mamdani’s economic agenda, including a pied-a-terre tax proposal and Trump’s claim that the mayor’s policies could drive companies and tax revenue out of New York.