New York's First Muslim Mayor, the Mamdani Wave... Will It End Trump's Dominance? [Sisasyo]

Elected Mayor of New York Just 5 Years After Entering Politics
Democratic Base Unites Amid Trump’s Attacks
Major Impact Expected on the Direction of U.S. Tariff Wars

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show'

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop

■ Director: PD Ma Yena

■ Guest: Reporter Lee Hyunwoo

Zoran Mamdani, a previously unknown 34-year-old politician, has created a major stir in American politics by being elected as the first Muslim mayor in New York's history. The victory of Mayor Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party, is seen as not just a local election win but as a verdict by voters on the Trump administration's policies and a harbinger of next year's midterm elections.

Becoming the Leader of the World's Largest City in Just 5 Years... A Dramatic Victory

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Mayor Mamdani comes from a distinguished Shia Muslim family in Gujarat, India, born to Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, and Mira Nair, a world-renowned film director. However, he was born in Uganda, Africa, and after living in South Africa, he moved to New York at the age of seven. This complex background is one of the reasons he is seen as a symbol of diversity.

After graduating from prestigious private schools and Bowdoin College in Maine, he was criticized by the Republican Party as a "typical rich kid" and a "nepotism baby." However, his career path was not simply that of an elite. After college, he worked as a hip-hop rapper and released albums, and also served as a housing counselor helping evicted tenants of color. These experiences laid the foundation for his growth as a politician focused on people's livelihoods.

Mamdani entered politics as a Democratic Party volunteer in 2020 and was elected to the New York State Assembly. After winning three consecutive terms in the 369th district of Queens, he immediately declared his candidacy for mayor of New York. At that time, his approval rating was less than 1%, as he was an unknown figure even in central political circles.

However, through active communication on social media and bold, livelihood-focused pledges, Mamdani quickly built his support base. His populist promises-rent freezes, free bus services, minimum wage increases, free childcare, and the construction of 200,000 housing units for low-income residents-captured the hearts of New Yorkers suffering from rising prices, especially the younger generation.

On this basis, Mamdani pulled off an upset in the June Democratic primary by defeating political heavyweight Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, by a margin of 7%. Although Cuomo, unable to concede, ran as an independent, Mamdani widened the gap in the general election, winning by 50.4% to 41%.

Greater Fame Amid Trump’s Attacks... Uniting the Democratic Base

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Interestingly, it is analyzed that President Trump's fierce criticism actually contributed to Mamdani's victory. Early in the campaign, Trump harshly attacked Mamdani as an "illegal immigrant," a "Shia Muslim," and a "communist." However, these attacks only served to further unite the Democratic base.

Even within the Republican Party, concerns were raised that "the more President Trump attacks, the more an unknown politician becomes a star." In the final days of the campaign, as Mamdani's support surged, Trump reduced his attacks and withdrew his attention, which in turn drew further criticism. After losing the general election, Trump tried to deflect responsibility, saying, "I lost because my name wasn't on the ballot."

What is particularly noteworthy is that even in New York's Jewish community, which most strongly opposed Mamdani's election, he received over 40% support. This shows that traditional religious and racial attacks are no longer effective in American politics. The voting power of Generation Z-those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s-focused on livelihood issues rather than identity politics.

This New York mayoral election, held alongside local elections in Virginia and New Jersey, was so symbolic it was called a 'mini-midterm.' With the Republican Party suffering complete defeats in major economically influential states, concerns are mounting about the midterm elections in November next year. As a result of this election, Virginia, which had shifted to the Republican Party in 2021, was reclaimed by the Democrats, spreading a sense of crisis within the Republican Party. Experts analyze that the outcome is not simply a judgment on the Republican Party, but a verdict by voters on President Trump's hardline policies.

The core issue in American politics right now is inflation. The Trump administration's tariff wars have caused prices to soar, severely impacting people's livelihoods, which in turn led to victories for livelihood-focused candidates like Mamdani. There are even predictions that if Trump continues with his tariff policies, the Republican Party could suffer a crushing defeat in the midterm elections.

The Fate of Tariff Policies: Legal Battles and Political Variables

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The results of this election are expected to impact not only American domestic politics but also the global economy. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of Trump's tariff policies, a process expected to take at least six months and possibly over a year.

President Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for imposing tariffs. This law allows the president to exercise emergency powers in times of national crisis. Trump argued that the U.S. was facing a severe economic crisis, but both the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected this justification, stating that "there was no national crisis."

If the Supreme Court reaches the same conclusion, Trump's tariff policies will completely lose their legal basis. All tariffs imposed so far could be invalidated. Of course, the Trump administration could try to invoke other laws, such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act or Section 301 of the Trade Act, but if a negative Supreme Court ruling coincides with a midterm election defeat, the administration's ability to push its policies will be greatly weakened.

In this situation, countries around the world, including South Korea, are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, aiming to secure a favorable position in negotiations by watching the court ruling and midterm election results. On the other hand, the Trump administration is expected to try to formalize tariff negotiations quickly before more variables arise. The election of a 34-year-old Muslim mayor is not just a story unique to New York, but is seen as a signal of change that could shake up the global economic and political landscape.