Zohran Mamdani, a leading Democratic mayoral candidate known for his democratic socialist views, often criticized as extreme on Fox News, is launching a provocative new TV ad campaign aimed directly at the network’s audience, according to sources from the Daily News.
The ad, which urges viewers not to be “fooled by the noise” from the conservative outlet, will start airing Saturday morning, the first day of early voting in New York City, during popular talk show Fox & Friends.
As Mamdani enters the general election, he holds a significant lead over independent challenger and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. In an effort to close this gap, Cuomo is reaching out to conservative voters, making appearances on shows like Sid & Friends on WABC radio and Fox News to gain traction.
In a strategic move, Mamdani is investing a substantial six-figure sum into advertising that targets these same conservative viewers. This effort coincides with attempts to pressure Curtis Sliwa, the GOP candidate, to exit the race as he continues to lag in the polls.
The advertisement opens with static and snippets from Fox News labeling Mamdani as a “communist.”
“I’m the real Zohran Mamdani, not the persona portrayed on this channel,” Mamdani states in the ad.
He continues, “My so-called radical agenda is about moving away from the billionaire-driven politics of Andrew Cuomo to make our city more affordable, reduce government waste, ensure safety in New York, and fulfill our commitments.”
The campaign did not specify how much the ad buy was for.
Mamdani last week did an interview on Fox News, where he indicated he’d be willing to work with President Trump on affordability issues, but that he would “not be a mayor like Mayor Adams.”
