After New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s historic win, folks across the spectrum have been weighing in on what he should and shouldn’t do ahead of his term. But radio host Charlamagne tha God argued there’s one person who should “shut the F up forever” about the topic… and he’s naming names.
Suggested Reading
Moments after Mamdani’s electrifying victory speech on Nov. 4, CNN commentator Van Jones had strong critiques for the Democratic socialist. “I think he missed a chance tonight to open up and bring more people into the tent,” Jones told CNN‘s election night panel. “I think his tone was sharp. I think he was using the microphone in a way that he was almost yelling.”
Mamdani built his campaign from the ground up on the back of his charisma and ability to relate to New Yorkers regardless of age, race or socio-economic background. But after Mamdani secured over one million votes, Jones claimed he had a “character switch.”
Jones continued to the panel, “That’s not the Mamdani that we’ve seen on TikTok and the great interviews and stuff like that.” He added, “there was a little bit of a character switch here where the warm, open, embracing guy that’s close to working people was not on-stage tonight, and there was some other voice on stage.”
In response to Jones’ criticism, “The Breakfast Club” host Charlamagne Tha God gave the CNN panelist “Donkey of the Day,” arguing that Mamdani did nothing wrong, and Jones is simply out of touch.
““Man, shut the F up forever, okay? Damn. There was no opportunity missed. The man just won. Alright? He just won,” Charlamagne said on the radio show. “After you won, yes, you’re going to celebrate. Yes, you’re going to talk loud… What do you mean he wasn’t warm enough? He took a victory lap, and he deserved to take a victory lap because he won.”
Mamdani has faced constant backlash over his socialist views and arguable lack of experience. Charlamagne said given who is in the White House, Jones– or any political analyst for that matter– shouldn’t monitor how Mamdani speaks. “I just don’t understand how in the era of [President Donald] Trump, we’re still telling people how to talk,” he said. “The language of politics is dead, and Donald Trump killed it. And you know when you can really talk that talk? After you win.”
In Mamdani’s speech, he addressed the president. “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him,” the 34-year-old said. “So, Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”
Charlamange continued, “The reason a lot of things don’t change in this country is because you don’t have enough politicians that are willing to challenge capitalism, and Zohran is doing that. So, how can Van Jones be mad that someone is challenging capitalism and authoritarian strategy?”
Jones wasn’t the only one who took issue with Mamdani’s victory speech. Utah Sen. Mike Lee took to X to warn Americans about the Ugandan-born New Yorker. “Of all the terrifying words uttered by Zoram [sic] Mamdani, these might be the most startling,” Lee said. “This is now the Democratic Party.” GOP pundit Alyssa Farah Griffith, who was on the same panel as Jones, called Mamdani a “left-wing Donald Trump.”
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.