Progressive capitalist rallies for democratic socialist NYC mayoral candidate

Jamaica, Queens – Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a “progressive capitalist,” but ahead of the long-awaited Election Day in New York City, the Silicon Valley congressman is mobilizing for his own self-defined democratic socialism. Zahran Mamdani.

As a broad coalition of Mamdani supporters gathered in Major Mark Park in Queens on Saturday, the socialist and capitalist — both of Indian descent — found common ground despite a looming identity crisis in the Democratic Party.

“My vision is economic patriotism,” Khanna told Fox News Digital after the rally, explaining that he wants to “build a broad Roosevelt-Obama-style coalition” to reform the American economy. “I think we need to be a wide tent.”

Khanna said he is “probably one of the few Democrats” who has campaigned for the Democratic nominee in all three major races this election cycle, and also joined gubernatorial candidates Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., on the campaign trail in their states this year.

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Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks at a Zahran Mamdani campaign event in New York City on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Voters in New York turn out early in droves for a mayoral race that has captured the nation’s attention. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“If you had asked me when I was growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that there would be an Indian American of the Hindu faith representing Silicon Valley presenting an African-born Muslim Indian, who would be the next mayor of New York, I would have only told you in a Mira Nair film, but it’s happening,” Khanna told the audience, referring to the film director Mamdani’s mother.

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Among those who rallied in Queens were coalitions of New Yorkers of Afghan, Muslim, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds, along with local elected officials, including former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., who lost the Democratic primary to a more moderate challenger last year.

Speakers at Saturday’s rally and campaign launch condemned Islamophobia, after Mamdani last week criticized his rivals in the mayoral race, including the former independent gubernatorial candidate. Andrew CuomoRepublican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Mayor Erics Adamswho suspended his re-election campaign and endorsed Cuomo over what he claimed was “anti-Islamic rhetoric.”

Mamdani asked the gathered New Yorkers to raise their hands if they have been called terrorists, have had their names “smeared” by their employers, or been made to feel “less than they are.”

“We are not only saying goodbye to a disgraced former governor on Tuesday, we are saying goodbye to the politics of that disgrace,” Mamdani said.

But just moments ago, a protester interrupted Mamdani’s remarks and criticized her The main candidate for mayor For his refusal to denounce the phrase “globalization of intifada,” which is widely considered a call for violence against Jews. Mamdani said he would discourage others from using the phrase but was reluctant to denounce it.

“You are a communist!” The protester shouted from the press pen as the crowd booed him while Mamdani continued his speech.

“This is not Cuba! This is not Venezuela!” shouted the protester, wearing a T-shirt with the Cuban flag.

Eventually, police officers escorted him out of the gathering while he shouted: “Fuck you, Zahran!”

president Donald Trump He described Mamdani as a “100% crazy communist” and “my little communist” – a title Mamdani rejected.

Mamdani’s ambitious campaign agenda includes free express buses, city-run grocery stores, and free child care, which he plans to pay for through higher taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers.

New York City mayoral candidate Zahran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul hold hands on stage as they attend the “New York is Not for Sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium, in the borough of Queens, New York City, on October 26, 2025. (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)

Governor of New York Cathy Hochulwho was harassed by Mamdani supporters for “taxing the rich” during a rally last Sunday, ruled out raising taxes, despite his endorsement of Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.

After Saturday’s rally and campaign launch, Khanna told Fox News Digital that Hochul “should be taxing billionaires.”

“What’s wrong with taxing that wealth so we can pay for child care?” Khanna asked, explaining that the “billionaire’s tax” is 10% – which is what he said Elon Musk Seeking to be able to pay for universal child care in the United States.

“I don’t see why you don’t support a basic wealth tax,” Khanna added.

Mamdani’s campaign for mayor revealed a rift within the Democratic Party, as New York Democrats were reluctant to endorse his democratic socialist agenda.

A Zahran Mamdani supporter holds a “Freeze Rent” sign at a launch party at Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavy)

After months of withholding his support, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally endorsed Mamdani last week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Mamdani had yet to endorse him a few days before the race.

While the Democratic Party faces losses at the ballot box in 2024, New report this week He urged Democrats to adjust their positions.

The report was released in the wake of a trio of self-identified Democratic socialists — Mamdani, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. – Joining forces to mobilize more than 10,000 New York City voters at Forest Hills Arena last Sunday.

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When asked about the value of building a coalition with Mamdani, even though Khanna rejects socialism and describes himself as a “progressive capitalist,” he told Fox News Digital that the real challenge is “dividing the wealth.”

“People can’t afford rent,” Khanna said. “People can’t afford child care. SNAP has been cut. I represent more wealth than ever before, and I’m saying you can Tax billionaires So that people can get health care and education. “We can have a vision of how we create high-paying jobs, not just here in Queens, but in rural America, in factory towns all across this nation.”

Fox News Digital’s Olivia Palumbo contributed to this report.