Mamdani says critics debate ‘mythical’ version of him by focusing on old tweets

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pushed back on critics Sunday, arguing they are attacking a “mythical” version of him by resurfacing old tweets.

Since winning the Democratic primary, the New York State assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist has become a national figure. He has faced pushback from both Republicans and Democrats over his past rhetoric and policy proposals, with critics saying he is too extreme.

CBS New York chief political correspondent Marcia Kramer interviewed Mamdani about criticism of his public safety plan, which would deploy mental health workers instead of NYPD officers in cases involving emotionally disturbed individuals. Critics have argued the plan would amount to sending “somebody with a clipboard.

“They say that’s not appropriate, that person could be in danger. What’s your answer to that?” Kramer asked.

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“My answer is that many of my opponents, chiefly Andrew Cuomo, would prefer to debate a mythical version of myself rather than the person I actually am,” Mamdani said. “They would prefer to focus on tweets from 2020 instead of the platform of 2025. They do that because they know our ideas are popular, and what we are putting forward responds to New Yorkers’ needs in ways that go beyond the failed policies they’ve heard from these old politicians.”

“What you’re really saying is that those tweets of 2020 – you’ve evolved from that, you’ve changed from that, you’ve changed your views?” Kramer asked.

Mamdani agreed, saying those past statements are “out of step with the campaign that we’re running” and with how he currently feels.

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New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has frequently been criticized for his past views on policing. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid and New York Police Department )

In 2020, Mamdani called to “defund the police” and labeled the NYPD “racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety.” Those remarks resurfaced nationally after a deadly mass shooting in midtown Manhattan that killed four people, including an NYPD officer.

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani spoke at a Bronx campaign event on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/ Digital)

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The candidate has also faced criticism for calling to remove a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded to Mamdani’s statement by telling Digital that “Zohran Mamdani is the ultimate politician: a coreless vessel who will say anything to get elected.”

“The man has said and written, it is videotaped: Defund the police, disband the police, disarm the police, the police are racists,” he continued. “Racists. Not the police are not nice people. The police are racist. The police are a threat to public safety. That’s what he has said. He has said we should deconstruct jails and carceral facilities. He has said that. He has said he’s against the ownership of private property. What does that mean? I can’t own my own home? You’re against the ownership of private property? He has said government should control the means of production. He has said that. You have the words. And New Yorkers are not going to buy that.”
 
“He claims he changed his mind,” Cuomo added, questioning Mamdani’s authenticity. “You changed your mind, when? From all those statements, what did you change your mind on? Defund? Disband? Disarm? being a socialist? And if you change your mind on everything you have said to date, why would anyone believe you? Why would anyone believe you? And what are you going to change to tomorrow? That’s what he has demonstrated. You cannot believe what he says, because he says different things to different people, and when you try to ask him the question, he simply will not answer.”