On October 1, 2025, the set of ABC’s The View was abuzz with anticipation as Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist assemblymember and the current front-runner in New York City’s mayoral race, made his entrance. Moderator Whoopi Goldberg set the tone, introducing Mamdani as a "political lightning rod after pulling off a stunning victory" in the primary, and highlighting that his "social progressive message is resonating beyond the borders of New York." The studio audience erupted in applause so enthusiastic that Goldberg had to play timekeeper: "Hold on now, we’ve got an hour on the show, so y’all gonna have to calm down so we can talk to him."
Goldberg’s introduction was not without its hiccups. Despite her praise, she repeatedly mispronounced Mamdani’s last name—a slip that did not go unnoticed, especially since Mamdani himself had previously criticized Andrew Cuomo for the same error, as noted by The New York Sun. Still, the tone was celebratory. Co-host Sunny Hostin lauded Mamdani as a "rising star in the Democratic Party" and the "front-runner to become the next mayor of New York City this November." Hostin wasted no time, asking the candidate if he had anticipated his meteoric rise and what he credited for it. Mamdani, ever the charmer, responded with a playful nod to Joy Behar: “It really is a Joy to be here,” drawing laughter from the panel.
Sara Haines, another co-host, pivoted to the political landscape, referencing the recent withdrawal of embattled Mayor Eric Adams from the race. She played a soundbite of Adams’ veiled criticisms and pressed Mamdani for his response. Mamdani, unfazed, suggested Adams’ exit was a sign of his campaign’s momentum and a reflection of the city’s appetite for change.
The conversation then turned to President Trump, who has become a near-constant presence in New York politics. Joy Behar rattled off a list of Trump’s criticisms, starting with the accusation that Mamdani is a communist. Mamdani was quick to clarify: “No, I’m a democratic socialist. That means I believe in dignity for all people.” When Behar compared his politics to Scandinavian models, Mamdani quipped, “A little more brown, but, yes.”
Behar pressed further, asking why Trump seemed to be rooting for Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani offered his view: “He is looking to clear the field for Andrew Cuomo because he knows that Andrew Cuomo would clear the field for Trump’s agenda.” The discussion took a sharper turn when Behar mentioned Trump’s threat to withhold federal funding from New York City should Mamdani win. Mamdani dismissed the threat as "just one of the many threats that Donald Trump makes. Every day he wakes up he makes another threat." Goldberg, for her part, accused Trump of "tampering" with the votes—a serious charge she floated with a casual, "I’m just saying," when challenged on her lack of evidence.
The panel’s dynamic, as The New York Sun observed, has long tilted left, with a single conservative voice—currently Alyssa Farah Griffin—often standing alone against a tide of liberal opinion. Griffin did not shy away from the tough questions, asking Mamdani why prominent Democrats such as Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Kamala Harris had been slow or hesitant to endorse him. Mamdani sidestepped, suggesting that endorsements often lag behind grassroots enthusiasm.
After a commercial break, the tone shifted. Sara Haines, wearing a pin in solidarity with Israeli hostages held by Hamas, confronted Mamdani about his controversial statements regarding Israel. She referenced his labeling of Israel as an "apartheid state" and his evasiveness in condemning Hamas. Haines asked, “Given New York has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, why should voters who see this as a moral red line trust your clarity and judgment?” Mamdani insisted these were "misconceptions," though he did not directly address the substance of the criticism.
Goldberg, meanwhile, wanted specifics on Mamdani’s plans for taxing large corporations: “On day one, why aren’t you going to big corporations like Amazon and Google and making sure that they pay what could really help the city raise up and get us where we need to be?” Mamdani replied with a touch of flattery, “If you were running for mayor I would be voting for you.” Goldberg’s concern was clear: she wanted real action, not just promises, and pressed for details that often go unspoken in campaign rhetoric.
The toughest interrogation came from Griffin, who revisited Mamdani’s 2020 calls to "defund the police" and his characterization of the NYPD as "racist, anti-queer and a threat to public safety." Griffin noted that Mamdani had since walked back these statements and had apologized privately to officers, but she pressed: “Can I ask, have you formally apologized to the NYPD?” Mamdani responded, “These are conversations that I’m having individually with officers,” sidestepping a public apology.
Throughout the segment, the panel’s liberal bent was unmistakable. As reported by The New York Sun, The View has faced criticism for its lack of conservative guests—none promoting pro-Trump policies in the first seven months of 2025—and for its open hostility toward Trump. ABC News executives reportedly urged the show’s hosts to tone down their anti-Trump rhetoric, but were rebuffed, highlighting the show’s independence and, some argue, its disconnect from mainstream American sentiment.
Yet, the program’s formula—an all-liberal panel with a single conservative host—remains unchanged, a legacy of on-air feuds and ideological clashes that have become its hallmark. Former conservative co-host Meghan McCain even left the show citing bullying by her colleagues. Griffin, for her part, is described as "largely in the liberal column and firmly anti-Trump," despite her Republican credentials.
For Mamdani, the appearance on The View was a high-profile platform to solidify his status as a political phenomenon. He left the stage grinning, buoyed by the adulation of the hosts and the audience. Whether his progressive message will resonate with New Yorkers at the ballot box remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the city’s political landscape is shifting, and the conversation is only getting louder.
As the November election approaches, the questions posed on The View—about ideology, endorsements, and accountability—will follow Mamdani onto the campaign trail, shaping the debate in a city that rarely shies away from a political fight.
