On Election Day, MSNBC’s Morning Joe spent over 17 minutes of airtime with the Democratic Nominee for New York Metropolis mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and even gave him 30 uninterrupted seconds in the direction of the top to make his case to voters. The puff-piece interview got here throughout like a last-minute try to ensure he acquired throughout the end line as an alternative of a authentic inquiry into his positions.
Mamdani was requested “actual” questions on his coverage proposals and marketing campaign guarantees, however most have been soft-ball toss-ups. The place Mamdani might have regarded weak or like he did not reply the query, the co-hosts gave him backup. Solely as soon as was he barely pushed on a subject, solely to again down when Mamdani signaled displeasure on the query.
Co-host Joe Scarborough first joked in regards to the nominee being tagged as a “communist.” However as an alternative of asking Mamdani any probing query that may reveal his true colours, Scarborough gave him ample house to outline his leanings on his personal phrases (Click on “broaden”):
SCARBOROUGH: And the communist joins us now. How do you reply to that when any person comes as much as you say, “I can not vote for you since you’re a communist.”
MAMDANI: I say, there are causes you won’t wish to vote for me, however let’s be sincere about my politics. I am a Democratic Socialist regardless of what number of instances President Trump calls me in any other case.
SCARBOROUGH: Yeah, clarify the distinction. What’s the distinction between a Democrat, a Democratic Socialist and a communist?
MAMDANI: Effectively, I am a Democratic Socialist who’s additionally a Democrat.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: And once I say I am a Democratic Socialist, I clarify it within the phrases of Dr. King from many years in the past, who stated that, “Name it democracy, or name it democratic socialism, [but] there have to be a greater distribution of wealth for all of God’s youngsters” on this nation.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
Rev. Al Sharpton gave a long-winded query on how Mamdani received’t play into Trump’s want for a “confrontation,” which someway lead right into a layup for Mamdani to defend progressivism and assault Trump’s menace to deploy Nationwide Guard into NYC (Click on “broaden”):
SHARPTON: … how do you let folks perceive progressivism doesn’t imply that we’re not going to have regulation and order and security within the metropolis?
MAMDANI: You already know, I recognize these questions, Rev., as a result of what they converse to is the truth that New Yorkers deserve security and justice. They do not have to choose one or the opposite, and that is what we will ship. […] And I look ahead to working with the Commissioner as a result of as she stated, we don’t want the Nationwide Guard right here. If this was about security, Donald Trump would have despatched the Nationwide Guard to the highest eight out of ten states with the best crime charges within the nation. However they’re run by Republicans, so he hasn’t carried out that.
BRZEZINKSI: So what’s it about?
MAMDANI: It is about intimidation.
BRZEZINKSI: Proper.
MAMDANI: He is trying to intimidate folks throughout this nation.
BRZEZINKSI: You used a phrase that I believed was fascinating that we have to Trump-proof town. And should you might clarify how New Yorkers is likely to be paying extra to Trump-proof town and why they may want to try this.
MAMDANI: We’ve a President who’s trying to rip up the very cloth of this metropolis, and meaning being prepared preemptively for these sorts of threats, versus hoping that they do not come to bear.
When asking about how Jewish voters would reply to the election of a Muslim mayor, Scarborough couldn’t assist mentioning totally-not-biased Mamdani marketing campaign strategist, who claimed the nominee was tremendous observant of Jewish holidays (Click on “broaden”):
SCARBOROUGH: So, what about issues we proceed to listen to from Jewish New Yorkers. Donny Deutsch comes on the present a great bit, he is involved, he says rabbis are involved. I talked to any person who works with you, Rebecca Katz, who stated you truly went to extra excessive — holy providers within the Jewish holidays than most Jews she is aware of in New York Metropolis herself. She stated that as a Jewish lady. And he or she stated, you have carried out every thing you are able to do, however it’s by no means sufficient. Do you’re feeling that means or do — what do you say this morning to New Yorkers who’re Jewish who will not be voting for you however will get up probably with you because the mayor tomorrow? What do you say to them?
MAMDANI I’ll look to be their mayor as properly. I’ll look to be the mayor for each Jewish New Yorker, each New Yorker regardless of how they vote, who they vote for, or in the event that they vote, as a result of I am trying to lead a metropolis of eight-and-a-half million folks.
Instantly after, Scarborough performed racial video games by giving Mamdani time to enchantment to the Hispanic inhabitants within the context of stringent unlawful immigration enforcement:
SCARBOROUGH: And Hispanic New Yorkers. What do you say to Hispanic New Yorkers who’re afraid to stroll the streets as a result of they could be swept up in ICE raids, whether or not they’re Americans or not? What do you say to them?
MAMDANI: I perceive their concern. Latino New Yorkers throughout the 5 boroughs, these are New Yorkers who’ve advised me time and time once more that the very neighborhoods they name dwelling are being hollowed out.
Co-host Willie Geist was the one one keen to dare give Mamdani a semblance of a troublesome query regarding his affinity for BDS. When Mamdani didn’t give a straight reply, Geist pushed him for one, to which Mamdani subtly shamed Geist into submission (Click on “broaden”):
WILLIE GEIST: To return to Joe’s earlier query, I’ve talked to Jewish New Yorkers who like your message of affordability, they suppose it is the correct message, however then they return and so they say, “Effectively, he helps BDS. He will not condemn the language of globalize the intifada. He appeared to play either side after October seventh in his preliminary assertion.” They’re deeply fearful that you’ve got some animosity for Jewish folks and for the state of Israel. How do you reply to that?
MAMDANI: Look, I believe critiques of the state of Israel are critiques of a authorities, versus critiques of a folks and of a religion. And my job is to characterize each single New Yorker, and I’ll achieve this, regardless of their ideas and opinions on Israel and Palestine, of which tens of millions of New Yorkers have very sturdy views, and I am considered one of them.
GEIST: Would BDS be the coverage of your administration as mayor?
MAMDANI: I’ve stated that I’d help and have supported nonviolent actions to result in compliance with worldwide regulation. And the place this mayor has violated and regarded to violate that form of regulation, I’d convey us again into compliance —
GEIST: So, sure.
MAMDANI: No, I am speaking about compliance.
GEIST: Okay.
MAMDANI: Proper? And I’ve stated that I help BDS as a result of it is a motion that’s on the lookout for that form of compliance. We have not seen it.
Sharpton requested Mamdani if there was something he wish to make clear in case of being maliciously misconstrued by opposing campaigns or ought to apologize for saying. Mamdani didn’t correctly interpret the cue, so Scarborough was certain to say how Mamdani was now not desires to defund the police (Click on “broaden”):
SCARBOROUGH: So, any statements or something like defunding the police, you clearly do not consider that anymore, proper?
MAMDANI: Sure, I’ve stated that very clearly —
SCARBOROUGH: You’ve stated repeatedly, proper?
[…]
MAMDANI: No. I believe I’ve stated that, , the tweets that I wrote in 2020 round defunding the police, that is not the place that I maintain. And I am operating for mayor to ship public security in partnership with the police division.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: And there is additionally language that I’ve utilized in those self same tweets which I’ve apologized for to cops instantly.
On the finish of the almost 18 complete minutes of warming as much as the Democratic nominee, co-host Mika Brzezinski gave Mamdani 30 seconds to make his “closing argument” to New York Metropolis voters.
The transcript is beneath. Click on “broaden” learn:
MSNBC’s Morning Joe
November 4, 2025
9:20:35 a.m. EST
(…)
MIKA BRZEZINKSI: And Zohran Mamdani joins us now.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: And the communist joins us now. How do you reply to that when any person comes as much as you say, “I can not vote for you since you’re a communist.”
ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I say, there are causes you won’t wish to vote for me, however let’s be sincere about my politics. I am a Democratic Socialist regardless of what number of instances President Trump calls me in any other case.
SCARBOROUGH: Yeah, clarify the distinction. What’s the distinction between a Democrat, a Democratic Socialist and a communist?
MAMDANI: Effectively, I am a Democratic Socialist who’s additionally a Democrat.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: And once I say I am a Democratic Socialist, I clarify it within the phrases of Dr. King from many years in the past, who stated that, “Name it democracy, or name it democratic socialism, [but] there have to be a greater distribution of wealth for all of God’s youngsters” on this nation.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
(…)
9:26:24 a.m. EST
REV. AL SHARPTON: If you’re profitable, and polls say you might be, many count on that not solely will the President attempt to reduce funds, which you have simply answered, however will in all probability attempt to do in New York what he did in L.A., Chicago and wish to have a confrontation with you as a result of clearly he desires to make use of your picture towards the midterm elections. How will you deal with that with out enjoying into him however on the similar time, standing up for the rights of these which are legally right here? And the way do you unite the folks on this metropolis that will or might not have supported you, religion leaders and others, to be a part of defending the rights of town with out enjoying right into a confrontation? Secondly, how do you cope with these which are involved about public security? You stated that you’d hold police commissioner in her place. And the way do you — and I do not know if she’s responded or not — however how do you let folks perceive progressivism doesn’t imply that we’re not going to have regulation and order and security within the metropolis?
MAMDANI: You already know, I recognize these questions, Rev., as a result of what they converse to is the truth that New Yorkers deserve security and justice. They do not have to choose one or the opposite, and that is what we will ship. We’ve Commissioner Tisch who Eric Adams when he appointed her, he had embedded the higher echelons of the NYPD with corruption and incompetence, and she or he began to root that out, lowered crime throughout the 5 boroughs.
That’ll proceed below a Mamdani administration alongside the creation of a division of group security that may truly be chargeable for taking over the psychological well being disaster and the homelessness disaster. As a result of whenever you converse to New Yorkers, these are issues which are prime of thoughts. And politicians make us really feel as if these are pure elements of dwelling on this metropolis, these are political selections. It was a political alternative when Andrew Cuomo reduce the funding for a homelessness program when he was the Governor. It is a political alternative for us to proceed having greater than 4,200 New Yorkers sleeping on our subway platforms and in our parks.
And I look ahead to working with the Commissioner as a result of as she stated, we don’t want the Nationwide Guard right here. If this was about security, Donald Trump would have despatched the Nationwide Guard to the highest eight out of ten states with the best crime charges within the nation. However they’re run by Republicans, so he hasn’t carried out that.
BRZEZINKSI: So what’s it about?
MAMDANI: It is about intimidation.
BRZEZINKSI: Proper.
MAMDANI: He is trying to intimidate folks throughout this nation.
BRZEZINKSI: You used a phrase that I believed was fascinating that we have to Trump-proof town. And should you might clarify how New Yorkers is likely to be paying extra to Trump-proof town and why they may want to try this.
MAMDANI: We’ve a President who’s trying to rip up the very cloth of this metropolis, and meaning being prepared preemptively for these sorts of threats, versus hoping that they do not come to bear.
(…)
9:29:53 a.m. EST
SCARBOROUGH: So, what about issues we proceed to listen to from Jewish New Yorkers. Donny Deutsch comes on the present a great bit, he is involved, he says rabbis are involved. I talked to any person who works with you, Rebecca Katz, who stated you truly went to extra excessive — holy providers within the Jewish holidays than most Jews she is aware of in New York Metropolis herself. She stated that as a Jewish lady. And he or she stated, you have carried out every thing you are able to do, however it’s by no means sufficient. Do you’re feeling that means or do — what do you say this morning to New Yorkers who’re Jewish who will not be voting for you however will get up probably with you because the mayor tomorrow? What do you say to them?
MAMDANI I’ll look to be their mayor as properly. I’ll look to be the mayor for each Jewish New Yorker, each New Yorker regardless of how they vote, who they vote for, or in the event that they vote, as a result of I am trying to lead a metropolis of eight-and-a-half million folks. And I believe it is time that we’ve got a politics that places the folks first, versus a politics that places the self. And it’s a duty we’ve got in main town to make sure it is one that does not simply root out anti-Semitism, but additionally celebrates and cherishes Jewish —
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: — New Yorkers and their place on this metropolis and within the historical past of town. It could be an honor to be the mayor —
SCARBOROUGH: And Hispanic New Yorkers. What do you say to Hispanic New Yorkers who’re afraid to stroll the streets as a result of they could be swept up in ICE raids, whether or not they’re Americans or not? What do you say to them?
MAMDANI: I perceive their concern. Latino New Yorkers throughout the 5 boroughs, these are New Yorkers who’ve advised me time and time once more that the very neighborhoods they name dwelling are being hollowed out.
(…)
9:32:02 a.m. EST
WILLIE GEIST: To return to Joe’s earlier query, I’ve talked to Jewish New Yorkers who like your message of affordability, they suppose it is the correct message, however then they return and so they say, “Effectively, he helps BDS. He will not condemn the language of globalize the intifada. He appeared to play either side after October seventh in his preliminary assertion.” They’re deeply fearful that you’ve got some animosity for Jewish folks and for the state of Israel. How do you reply to that?
MAMDANI: Look, I believe critiques of the state of Israel are critiques of a authorities, versus critiques of a folks and of a religion. And my job is to characterize each single New Yorker, and I’ll achieve this, regardless of their ideas and opinions on Israel and Palestine, of which tens of millions of New Yorkers have very sturdy views, and I am considered one of them.
GEIST: Would BDS be the coverage of your administration as mayor?
MAMDANI: I’ve stated that I’d help and have supported nonviolent actions to result in compliance with worldwide regulation. And the place this mayor has violated and regarded to violate that form of regulation, I’d convey us again into compliance —
GEIST: So, sure.
MAMDANI: No, I am speaking about compliance.
GEIST: Okay.
MAMDANI: Proper? And I’ve stated that I help BDS as a result of it is a motion that’s on the lookout for that form of compliance. We have not seen it.
(…)
9:34:12 a.m. EST
SHARPTON: We had on the present proper earlier than you, Maria Shriver, who teased me about she did a profile of me 30 years in the past once I was much more controversial. And it made me suppose, as I checked out commercials throughout this marketing campaign, they’ve used statements you have stated, movies that will have been edited, are there any belongings you wish to make clear or apologize for? I’ve needed to stay and say, “I used to be flawed to say that. I did not imply that.” Is there something you’d prefer to clear up earlier than folks end voting as we speak?
And secondly, are you able to decide to doing one thing in regards to the mice? We nearly misplaced Mika this morning.
BRZEZINSKI: I do know.
[Laughter]
SHARPTON: Little question about it.
BRZEZINSKI: Oh my god. There was one in right here, or one thing.
SCARBOROUGH: No, I don’t —
MAMDANI: I do —
SCARBOROUGH: —suppose there was.
MAMDANI: You already know, the times of presidency contemplating an issue too small —
SCARBOROUGH: Yeah.
BRZEZINSKI: Yeah.
MAMDANI: — these days are coming to an finish.
[Crosstalk]
BRZEZINSKI: Yeah? You promise?
MAMDANI: There is not any drawback too small, no disaster too massive as a result of we deserve a Metropolis Corridor that truly cares about each challenge that New Yorkers are involved with. And, , I used to be at Tom’s Diner on 112th and Broadway —
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: — not too way back, which is true round the place I grew up. And as I walked in, a person checked out me from his sales space and he stated, “You know the way I do know you are doing properly?” I stated, “How?” He stated, “As a result of they’re mendacity about you on TV.” And, , these greater than $40 million in assault adverts, you possibly can smear and slander me as a lot as you need, however New Yorkers are additionally sensible sufficient to see via that.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: And I am additionally proud to say that, , a lot has been made from my age, I believe with youth comes two issues. One is the conceitedness of an innate sense of chance that I believe too usually we’re shedding in our politics. And the opposite is the humility that you just have no idea every thing, and it’s essential to truly encompass your self with those that are specialists within the fields that you are looking to ship on. I believe for too lengthy we have had a way of management that pretends as if it’s all figuring out when, the truth is, what a frontrunner is meant to do is to empower these round them to ship on the agenda that they ran on. I am trying ahead to being there.
SCARBOROUGH: So, any statements or something like defunding the police, you clearly do not consider that anymore, proper?
MAMDANI: Sure, I’ve stated that very clearly —
SCARBOROUGH: You’ve stated repeatedly, proper?
MAMDANI: — that we’re not —
SHARPTON: Something to make clear. I imply —
SCARBOROUGH: Yeah.
SHARPTON: — I’m not saying you stated or did it, however make clear or say possibly I’ve discovered the way to be extra cautious —
SCARBOROUGH: By the best way, we do that to Rev. each time he is on the present, after which Rev.’ll do it to me. And we’re each apologizing for issues —
[Crosstalk]
MAMDANI: No. I believe I’ve stated that, , the tweets that I wrote in 2020 round defunding the police, that is not the place that I maintain. And I am operating for mayor to ship public security in partnership with the police division.
SCARBOROUGH: Proper.
MAMDANI: And there is additionally language that I’ve utilized in those self same tweets which I’ve apologized for to cops instantly.
BRZEZINSKI: Okay. It has been a really fascinating marketing campaign.
SCARBOROUGH: It has.
BRZEZINSKI: Closing argument. 30 seconds. Go.
(…)
