Mark Halperin Says Trump Has Special Plans For Mamdani

Mark Halperin said on Fox News Monday that President Donald Trump has special plans for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, should the Democratic socialist secure the city government’s top job.

Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in the June 24 primary, securing 43.5% of the first-choice votes, ahead of former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who received 36.3%. During an appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Halperin suggested Trump will turn Mamdani into a central figure in his 2026 campaign strategy.

“Donald Trump wants to make him the co-star of this ongoing drama because every day there are things to ask about. I’ll be curious to see after tomorrow,” Halperin told host Bret Baier.

Halperin said that while only the first results from the ranked-choice voting process are in, he expects Mamdani’s lead to grow once the full results are counted.

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“We only have the first results in this rank choice voting process. Tomorrow, we’re expecting the full results, and I imagine his lead will grow. At that point, he will be the official Democratic nominee,” Halperin said. (RELATED: Zohran Mamdani Ducks And Weaves When Asked To Condemn Term Calling For Killing Jews)

Halperin also pointed out what he called the absence of endorsements from major Democratic figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Very few Democratic elected officials, including Chuck Schumer, including Hakeem Jeffries, have endorsed. I’m interested to see what AOC and others say to them. How can they not endorse the Democratic nominee?” Halperin asked. “And, of course, once they do, if they do, Donald Trump will have more to talk about.”

Former Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine explained why he believes prominent Democrats, including Schumer, Jeffries, and Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, have not endorsed Mamdani. He said it signals deeper issues within the party.

“They know that their members, Democrats in the House and the Senate, are going to have to answer for this guy. And I think they are trying to figure it out. Do they endorse him, or do they just remain silent?” Turrentine asked host Laura Ingraham.

During an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo,” Trump made clear his strong opposition to Mamdani.

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