Zohran Mamdani called out for ‘cringe’ voter appeal ad spoofing ‘The Bachelor’

In the 30-second ad, Zohran Mamdani holds a rose and delivers a monologue in a style similar to ABC's 'The Bachelor'
UPDATED OCT 3, 2025
Zohran Mamdani highlighted the kind of mayor New York City deserves in an ad spoofing ABC’s 'The Bachelor' (@ZohranKMamdani/X)
Zohran Mamdani highlighted the kind of mayor New York City deserves in an ad spoofing ABC’s 'The Bachelor' (@ZohranKMamdani/X)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@zohrankmamdani)


 

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: To stand out in a crowded race, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is using reality TV-inspired tactics to reach voters.

In a new 30-second ad which aired on Wednesday, October 1, he holds a rose and delivers a monologue in a style similar to ABC's 'The Bachelor'.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) speaks to supporters during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. Mamdani was announced as the winner of the Democratic nomination for mayor in a crowded field in the City’s mayoral primary to choose a successor to Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election on an independent ticket. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
New York City  mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks to supporters during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025, in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Zohran Mamdani's 'Rose' ad brings reality TV flair to NYC mayoral race

The ad demonstrates Zohran Mamdani’s willingness to break political norms.

It appeared for the first time in New York City during Wednesday's season premiere of 'The Golden Bachelor', the ABC franchise's series aimed at seniors.

By blending entertainment with messaging, he aims to stand out and connect with voters in unexpected ways.

Zohran Mamdani in 'The Golden Bachelor'-style ad (@ZohranKMamdani/X)
Zohran Mamdani in 'The Golden Bachelor'-style ad (@ZohranKMamdani/X)

Mamdani appears in a candlelit room and speaks directly to viewers, “You deserve better. You deserve to be able to raise your family here. To be safe. To travel where you need to, free of cost and worry."

In a soft tone, he continues, "You deserve someone who works as hard as you do. Who thinks about you, every second of the day. That’s the kind of mayor I promise to be.”

"New York, will you accept this rose?" he said at the end, which became both a playful nod to reality TV and a serious appeal in a high-stakes election.

The ‘Rose’ ad campaign is targeting older viewers and marks the start of a seven-figure media push.

"When we say this is a campaign that meets voters everywhere, we mean it even if it’s from their couch watching 'The Golden Bachelor,'" a Mamdani spokesperson said in a press release.

Zohran Mamdani's 'Rose' ad draws ridicule

Zohran Mamdani’s 30-second video has gone viral, so much so that it has reached 3.8 million views on X and over 100,000 views on Instagram.

One said, "Zohran will take away healthcare access to millions in NYC by socializing it. Listen to what will happen, not the lies he feeds you."

A person bluntly called the ad "cringe," while someone else echoed, "WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL IS THIS CRINGE?" 

"Who can raise their family when you’re emptying the prisons and freeing inmates?" asked an individual. 

One more took a shot at Mamdani, writing, "Dude going to bill the taxpayers a billion dollars for that rose," whereas another said, "I do not see a future with you anywhere in the USA."

"How much did this ad cost to produce and air? This ad for a communist was made possible through capitalism," another critical tweet read. 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

High-stakes three-way mayoral race

Zohran Mamdani is competing in a high-stakes three-way race.

His main challengers are former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, the radio host and founder of the 'Guardian Angels'. 

The unexpected exit of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has added further uncertainty, making Mamdani’s campaign strategy even more significant. However, analysts believe Mamdani has higher chances of winning the race than Cuomo. 

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo arrives to testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Rayburn House Office Building at the Capitol on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo arrives to testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Rayburn House Office Building at the Capitol on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

The White House released a list of donors for the new ballroom, which includes major corporations such as Comcast, Amazon, Apple, and T-Mobile
1 day ago
Donald Trump’s absence on October 24 sparked online speculation linking his recurring hand bruise to possible monthly medical infusions
1 day ago
Rosie O’Donnell’s post urged Americans to stay home, skip public events, and avoid dining out, among other measures, for a week starting November 25
2 days ago
Joy Reid’s claims echoed similar remarks made by Whoopi Goldberg, who also suggested that taxpayer money would cover the ballroom’s costs
2 days ago
Bill Clinton also appeared to struggle with turning pages during his speech at The Headstrong Project’s Annual Gala on Wednesday, October 22
2 days ago
On 'The View', Ethan Hawke weighed in on reports that Donald Trump demanded $230 million from the DOJ over past investigations into him
2 days ago
People online slammed Whoopi Goldberg for saying that President Donald Trump is using taxpayer money to build the White House ballroom
3 days ago
On 'I’ve Had It' podcast, Jen Psaki suggested that JD Vance was 'scarier' than President Donald Trump in some ways
4 days ago
Harry Enten said the government shutdown hadn’t hurt President Donald Trump’s popularity, his approval rating had actually risen
5 days ago