House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) faced pointed questions this week during an appearance on CNBC regarding New York City’s Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
The exchange became tense when Jeffries expressed frustration at being asked about the candidate’s policies.
The interview took place Thursday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” where Jeffries initially criticized President Donald Trump for what he called an “anti-free market” move in replacing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following the release of a disappointing jobs report.
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Host Andrew Ross Sorkin then shifted the discussion to New York City’s upcoming mayoral race, noting the apparent contrast between Jeffries’ stated support for free market principles and his party’s nomination of Mamdani, a self-described socialist, for the city’s top office.
“I’m trying to understand why you would spend a significant amount of time asking me about the Democratic nominee who’s not even the mayor,” Jeffries replied, visibly frustrated by the line of questioning.
WATCH: ‘Leader’ Hakeem Jeffries (D-NYC) has a toddler temper tantrum yelling at CNBC anchor @andrewrsorkin for daring to ask him about Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s policies
“I’m trying to understand why you would spend a significant amount of time asking me about [Mamdani]” pic.twitter.com/3uGCW9JWkg
— NRCC (@NRCC) August 14, 2025
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Sorkin pressed further, pointing to Mamdani’s political stance and policy positions, and asking how Jeffries’ economic views align with those of the nominee.
Jeffries did not directly address the specifics of Mamdani’s platform, instead questioning the relevance of focusing on a candidate who has yet to take office.
Mamdani, currently a state assemblyman representing parts of Queens, has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies including expanded public housing, increased taxes on high-income earners, and changes to policing in the city.
His nomination has drawn attention both for his political positions and for the broader implications of a socialist candidate leading the Democratic ticket in the nation’s largest city.
The mayoral race comes as New York City continues to grapple with issues such as crime rates, housing costs, and post-pandemic economic recovery.
Mamdani’s candidacy is expected to be a focal point in debates over the city’s future direction, with his policies facing scrutiny from both opponents and members of his own party.
Jeffries, who leads House Democrats in Washington, did not indicate during the interview whether he plans to formally endorse Mamdani.
When asked by CNBC about his position on the mayoral race, he shifted the conversation back to national economic issues and legislative priorities.
CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin repeatedly attempts to extract a straight answer from Hakeem Jeffries on if he supports socialism and Mamdani’s policies.
Sorkin’s attempts fail miserably. pic.twitter.com/2k84IKGUf0
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) August 14, 2025
The interaction underscores the political challenges Democrats may face in addressing internal divisions over economic policy and the role of socialist-leaning candidates within the party.
While Jeffries has emphasized the importance of economic growth and market stability, the nomination of Mamdani — and the questions it raises — is likely to remain a topic in media interviews and political discussions leading up to the election.
The New York City mayoral election is scheduled for November, with Mamdani set to face the Republican nominee in a contest expected to draw national attention.
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