In a surprising departure from usual partisan rhetoric, prominent Republican figures, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and political commentator Tucker Carlson, have extended rare praise to New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, acknowledging his grassroots-focused campaign strategy, even as they continue to oppose his political ideology.Mamdani, a Muslim and Indian-American assemblyman,pulled a surprise victory in the Democratic primary this week, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Carlson, on his show, lauded Mamdani’s debate performance for staying focused on New York’s local issues while other candidates discussed foreign policy.“That guy was the only person in the New York City mayor’s debate to say he wanted to focus on New York City. They were, all the candidates were asked if you could visit a foreign country, what would it be? And they all, of course, all had an answer. I think most said Israel,” Carlson said during the Friday episode of “The Tucker Carlson Show.”Carlson remarked Mamdani was the only one to say he wouldn’t travel abroad, he’d stay in New York and connect with constituents directly.The former Fox News host added about Mamdani’s performance in the mayoral debate earlier this month, “and he said, ‘I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’d stay in New York. And like, if I want to meet Jewish constituents, I go to their synagogues, their homes or whatever, but I’d be here in New York because that’s what I’m doing. I’m running New York. That’s my job,” adding, “I totally oppose his program, but at least he’s talking about economics and not just foreign affairs.”Greene, who had earlier shared a doctored image of the Statue of Liberty in a burqa in response to Mamdani’s rise, has since revised her stance. Speaking on Steve Bannon’s podcast, she said, “He really ran a campaign where he talked directly to the people… Even though his solutions are insane and socialist, he focused on their problems.”She also took a swipe at Cuomo, labelling him a “dirty establishment Democrat” and praised Mamdani for offering “unique and smart” outreach.Both Greene and Carlson have recently criticised the administration’s handling of the Israel-Iran conflict, exposing growing rifts within the MAGA movement, between those who favour strong support for Israel and others who fear the US could be drawn into a broader war.Despite the acknowledgment, hostility remains strong in Republican circles. The New York Young Republican Club called for Mamdani’s deportation under the Communist Control Act, while representative. Andy Ogles branded him “antisemitic” and called for denaturalization proceedings.President Trump, writing on Truth Social, referred to Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic,” adding, “He looks terrible… and he’s backed by AOC+3 and Cryin’ Chuck Schumer.”Mamdani has responded positively to criticism from Republican lawmakers and even the president, who labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic” due to his policy agenda.“You know, this is not the first time that President Trump is going to comment on myself, and I encourage him, just like I encourage every New Yorker, to learn about my actual policies to make the city affordable,” Mamdani told ABC News’s Rachel Scott in an interview Wednesday.Mamdani’s campaign, which includes proposals such as free buses and rent freezes, continues to draw criticism from conservatives. Still, the recognition of his campaign tactics from unlikely quarters underscores a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment in an otherwise divided political landscape.
