Name: Mamdani becomes New York City mayor
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T15:07:29.195Z
Duration: 1 min 43 s
Description: Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, marking a historic moment with a low-key swearing-in ceremony held deep beneath Manhattan. The Democrat, who at 34 is the city’s youngest mayor in generations, takes office as one of the most closely watched political figures in the U.S.

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, marking a historic moment with a low-key swearing-in ceremony held deep beneath Manhattan. The Democrat, who at 34 is the city’s youngest mayor in generations, takes office as one of the most closely watched political figures in the U.S.

New York

Zoran Mamdani has taken office as the mayor of New York City, marking a historic milestone as the city's first Muslim mayor. The inauguration ceremony was held at the old City Hall subway station, underscoring his commitment to public transit as a key issue.

Mamdani, who immigrated from Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018, campaigned on policies such as rent control, free bus service, and free nursery places. Despite initial tensions, he and former President Donald Trump pledged to cooperate for the city's future following a recent meeting.

Mamdani becomes New York City mayor

New York has a new mayor for 2026. Zoran Mamdani chose a symbolic location for the ceremony. One that highlighted a pillar of his campaign. This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime. And after just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station. A testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city. Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian parents. He moved to New York when he was seven years old. His multicultural background is similar to many in the city. He became a naturalized American citizen in 2018 and tried his luck as a rapper and a cricket player before getting into politics. Mamdani is the city's first Muslim mayor. Politically, he's a socialist who wants an equitable climate transition. He campaigned for measures to protect the vulnerable. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, he's calling for rent control, a free bus service and free nursery places for all. We have people that we look at and understand as New Yorkers, yet they can't even live here anymore. And that is a shame. That is unacceptable. And it doesn't actually have to be that way. In November, Mamdani met Donald Trump. Both sides traded insults in the lead-up to the meeting. So many expected a tense encounter. But instead, the two New Yorkers appeared at ease and struck a cooperative tone, pledging to work together for the city's future.

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