7 Details telling us why conservative media target Zohran

1. Why is conservative media targeting Zohran Mamdani?

​Conservative outlets view Mamdani as the ideal "bogeyman" to replace aging villains like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Media analysts describe him as "colorful, controversial and not afraid of a fight," making him perfect for engaging enraged audiences. By defining him early as a radical threat, conservative editors hope to keep viewers hooked well into the 2026 election cycle.

2. What makes Mamdani such a threatening figure to conservatives?

Rob Bluey, president of the Daily Signal, suggests Mamdani's appeal to working-class Americans who feel economically left behind is similar to President Trump's, though they offer different solutions. Howard Polskin, who monitors conservative media, notes that Mamdani is "colorful, controversial and not afraid of a fight," making him ideal content for outlets looking to rally their base. His membership in the Democratic Socialists of America and Muslim background have amplified the attacks.

3. What labels are being used against him?

​Commentators have unleashed a barrage of insults, labeling Mamdani "downright sinister," a "Marxist," and a "jihadist sympathizer." Fox News host Laura Ingraham warned viewers about "smiling socialists who rule like Soviet tyrants." In the Washington Examiner, Hugo Gurdon described Mamdani’s victory speech as "venomous," claiming he had taken off his "smiling campaign mask."

4.How aggressive has the New York Post been in targeting him?

Between October 27 and November 5, the Post made Mamdani the subject of seven front-page covers. One headline, "Mam-Child," depicted him in a little boy's overalls with a warning that the city wasn't a toy to hand to a "baby like Zohran." Another proclaimed "Not Zo Fast" as polls tightened, while Election Day's cover read "Trump to New York: Keep the Commie Out." The Post's Soviet-themed cover became so popular it was resold on eBay for $75 and turned into baby onesies and commemorative plates.

5. Is Mamdani actually a communist?

When asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" whether he was a communist, Mamdani said, "No, I am not." He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Webster's defines socialism as community or government control of production and distribution, while communism, advanced by Karl Marx, goes further to eliminate private property and capitalism entirely. However, many conservative critics make no distinction, with Trump calling him a "communist, not socialist" in a "60 Minutes" interview.

6. What's behind the religious attacks on Mamdani?

As a Muslim who has supported Palestinian rights and criticized Israel's Gaza offensive as genocide, Mamdani has faced particularly hostile rhetoric. Megyn Kelly claimed Islam's tenets are inconsistent with American values and Muslims shouldn't be elected to high office. Podcaster Michael Savage called him a "Marxist jihadist sympathizer," while influencer Laura Loomer predicted he would encourage political assassinations. Mamdani has denounced Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and pledged to combat antisemitism.

7. How has Mamdani responded to these attacks?

In the final days of his campaign, Mamdani spoke out against the religious-based attacks, saying he thought behaving well and redirecting to his central message would allow him to be seen as "more than just my faith." He admitted, "I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough." After his election, he reached out to the White House for a meeting with Trump, and the president said Sunday they would "work something out."

8. Is this strategy likely to continue through the midterms?

Political observers believe conservative media will use Mamdani to associate all Democrats with far-left beliefs. The Daily Signal called him "the putative leader of his party," while the Victory Girls blog warned "the socialists are coming, and Mamdani is just the beginning." Angelo Carusone of Media Matters noted that Mamdani is "the new AOC" for conservatives, someone they can define early and hold up as what it means to be a Democrat. As Carusone explained the urgency: "If you don't check him now, he's going to capture the young people."