Sir Sadiq Khan has expressed satisfaction at a significant development for Donald Trump as New York elects Democrat Zohran Mamdani as its new mayor.
President Trump had supported former governor Andrew Cuomo, who was defeated by Mr. Mamdani. Trump had labeled Mamdani as a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani won the election.
Despite Trump’s efforts, Mamdani emerged victorious, beating Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian descent.
Sir Sadiq Khan congratulated Mamdani on his win, acknowledging the historic nature of his campaign. He praised the choice made by New Yorkers, emphasizing the victory of hope over fear, similar to what has been witnessed in London.
The London mayor’s support for Mamdani follows a longstanding feud between him and Trump. Trump had criticized Khan since 2015, particularly when Khan opposed Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US.
In his victory speech, Mamdani directly addressed Trump, urging him to relish the overwhelming support from Mamdani’s followers. Mamdani reaffirmed New York’s identity as a city of immigrants, highlighting its resilience and diversity.
The city’s Board of Elections reported a record voter turnout, with over two million ballots cast. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, when asked about Mamdani’s win, mentioned her limited focus on American politics.