He better behave: Trump warns Zohran Mamdani after pledge to arrest Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on New York State Assemblyman and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, accusing the mayoral candidate of holding anti-Jewish views and promoting far-left ideologies that, he claimed, are incompatible with American values.

“He’s not a socialist, he’s a communist,” Trump said on Monday ahead of a private dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “And he’s said some really bad things about Jewish people.”

Trump’s comments come as Mamdani, 33, gains momentum in the early stages of his campaign for New York City mayor. The Queens assemblyman and Democratic Socialists of America member has positioned himself as a bold advocate for tenants’ rights, proposing a citywide rent freeze and aggressive affordable housing reforms.

Trump didn’t offer specifics to back his claim of anti-Jewish rhetoric but warned that Mamdani, if elected, could face serious consequences should he cross certain lines in office. “He’s going through a little bit of a honeymoon right now, (and) he might (win), but it all comes through the White House,” Trump said. “He needs the money through the White House He’s going to behave He better behave, otherwise he’s going to have big problems.”

The president’s remarks were triggered by Mamdani’s recent pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if he visits New York City — citing the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Asked whether the pledge concerned him, Netanyahu brushed it off. “I’m not concerned about that,” the Israeli leader said before dinner with Trump. As Netanyahu responded, Trump jumped in: “I’ll get him out.”

“There’s enough craziness in the world, but I guess it never ends,” Netanyahu added. “This is appalling, and it’s silly in many ways because it’s just not serious.”

Born in Kampala, Uganda, he is the son of acclaimed academic Mahmood Mamdani and celebrated Indian filmmaker Mira Nair. He moved to New York as a child and currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Syrian-born artist Rama Duwaji.

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With inputs from Agencies

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