Van Jones slams Zohran Mamdani’s ‘rage-filled’ victory speech: 'He was almost yelling'

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN commentator Van Jones slammed Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech following the New York City mayoral election.

Mamdani clinched the 2025 mayoral race in a historic, closely watched contest, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Van Jones criticizes Zohran Mamdani's victory speech

Van Jones began criticizing Mamdani's speech by comparing it to his campaign speeches. 

He said, “I think he missed an opportunity. I think the Mamdani that we saw on the campaign trail who was a lot more calm, who was a lot warmer, who was a lot more embracing was not present in that speech. And I think that Mamdani is the one you need to hear from tonight."

He posed a flood of questions, "There are a lot of people trying to figure out, can I get on this train with him or not? Is he going to include me? Is he going to be more of a class warrior even in office?”

He added, "I think he missed a chance tonight to open up and bring more people into the tent. I think his tone was sharp. I think he was using the microphone in a way that he was almost yelling.”

He expressed disappointment, "And that's not the Mamdani that we've seen on TikTok and the great interviews and stuff like that."

The CNN commentator quipped, "So I felt like there's 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. That said, he's very young, and he just pulled off something that's very, very difficult.”

He reiterated, "And I wouldn't write him off, but I think he missed an opportunity to open himself up tonight, and I think that that will probably cost him going forward."

Zohran Mamdani challenges President Trump

New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, directly challenged President Donald Trump in his victory speech, delivering a bold four-word message: "To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us."

"So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up!" Mamdani declared, drawing loud cheers from the audience. 

He reaffirmed his identity and political stance, saying, "I am young despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a Democratic Socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this."

Mamdani thanked voters and extended an olive branch to his chief rival, Andrew Cuomo. "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 on a politics that abandoned the many and answered only to the few," he said.

He expressed deep appreciation to his campaign team and supporters, adding, "It’s for all of you — more than 100,000 volunteers who built this campaign into an unstoppable force. Because of you, we will make this city one that working people can love and live in again."

"With every door knocked and every conversation held, you helped restore faith in our politics. I know I have asked much of you this past year, and each time, you’ve answered. Now, New York City — breathe this moment in. After years of holding our breath in anticipation of defeat, we can finally exhale and feel the rebirth of our city," Mamdani concluded.