Scott Jennings takes a swipe at Zohran Mamdani after NYC mayoral win: 'Rich kid who is great actor'
CNN's @ScottJenningsKY on Zohran Mamdani: "I'm going to compliment your guy. He's the greatest actor you have. You know, he turned himself into a hood ornament for the poor and the downtrodden. He's a rich kid who is a great actor. He -- he play acts. He play acts"
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) November 5, 2025
"I'm just… pic.twitter.com/FyApBDxhVK
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: CNN’s Scott Jennings offered his take on Zohran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral win on Tuesday, November 4. During a panel discussion, Jennings described the 34-year-old Democrat as a “great actor” and referred to him as a “rich kid.”
He also noted that Mamdani has “all the energy behind him.” Jennings added that some members of the Jewish community are concerned and feel scared because they believe he has labeled them as the “oppressors.”
Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa to secure the victory.
Scott Jennings questions Zohran Mamdani’s leadership after NYC mayoral win
Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, shared a video of a CNN panel discussion featuring Scott Jennings. In the clip, Jennings commented on New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Jennings said, “I'm going to compliment your guy. He's the greatest actor you have. You know, he turned himself into a hood ornament for the poor and the downtrodden. He's a rich kid who is a great actor. He play acts. He play acts.”
He added, “I'm just saying there's no other obvious Democrat. He has all the energy behind him. You talk about slicing and dicing the electorate, he's going to slice it and dice it in one way, oppressors and oppressed.”
Jennings further commented on Mamdani’s impact on various communities, saying, “That's why the Jews in this city feel scared because they know he has labeled them as the oppressors. That's why people who create jobs in New York City are leery, because he labels them the oppressors.”
Jennings concluded that the ideas and energy behind Mamdani’s campaign are shaping not only his race but also the broader Democratic primary contests nationwide.
Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech vows power to working people
The democratic socialist celebrated his victory over Andrew Cuomo, the three-term former governor and son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. The young mayor, who identifies as a democratic socialist, is the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office.
While delivering his victory speech, he said, "The sun may have set over our city this evening, but as Eugene Debs once said, 'I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.'"
He added, "For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and well-connected that power does not belong in their hands, fingers bruised from lifting boxes on the warehouse floor, palms calloused from delivery bike handlebars, knuckles scarred from kitchen burns."
He continued, "These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power. And yet, over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater. Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it."
"We have toppled a political dynasty. I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page," Mamdani concluded.
