Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has traveled the United States in a battle of Olgarkie Tour, a series of town halls aimed at attracting progressive voters nationwide.
On Saturday evening, he brought the message to his alma mater, Brooklyn University, for the joint city hall with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
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Sitting by the side of long-standing progressive politicians, Mamdani pulled out 1,700 people in the city’s mayoral race. This is now attracting public attention, as he and candidates like him see him and candidates like him as a way to stimulate their movement and promote correct attacks from the right, as from President Donald Trump.
“Politics can be driven by ordinary people,” Mamdani told the packed auditorium.
Part of Sanders’ tour, which has already reached 21 states and over 300,000 people, the event highlighted the national spotlight at New York’s mayoral race and the increasingly hostile rhetoric from the White House to progressive assembly members.
On Friday, Trump inaccurately referred to Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as a “communist.”
Mamdani has long faced criticism from more moderate Democrats and Republicans, contrary to Al Jazeera’s analysis, especially his approach to economic issues, and his policies that they labeled as his approach to economic issues.
However, a message that strongly resonated with the supporters was increased revenue inequality and less integration of wealth.
Sanders focused on national issues, overseeing Paramount, which currently owns CBS News, and directed acute criticism of the billionaire owners of major media companies who claim that Sanders is not critical enough of the White House under the new ownership.
The network, which recently merged with Skydance Media, has paid $16 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging that an interview with the then-democratic president’s hopeful Kamala Harris has been changed. Earlier this week, CBS announced that it would no longer edit the interview on Sunday’s political show, following complaints from the Trump administration.
Sanders also targeted Tesla billionaire CEO Elon Musk. On Friday, Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion compensation package for the world’s wealthiest man.
“We live in a crazy world,” Sanders said.
“Millions of people are struggling to put food on the table, and they (Tesla shareholders) are showing one man as a sign.”
Mamdani had focused on large companies like delivery service Durdash.
“New York City is not for sale,” Mamdani said.
Despite the fact that criticism of the campaign is not friendly to the large business community, Mamdani has taken on those concerns. Shortly after he decided to nominate the Democratic Party in July, Mamdani met business leaders from all over New York to address his policy stance to address concerns about the policy stance that the New York City Partnership (Business Advocacy Group) described as “productive.”
Still, at the heart of the message Mamdani and Sanders tapped, it was sentiment outside the business community, an issue that resonated with the workers and middle class supporters who promoted Mamdani’s campaign.
Childcare was one of the topics raised by locals at City Hall, according to the New York City Council.
A working mother, one of the audience, said she spends $36,000 a year on childcare.
“We have to feel the depth of the numbing statistics,” Mamdani said in response to a teacher who asked about his plans for childcare.
Mamdani offers free childcare for children between 6 weeks and 5 years old.
Playing thumbs on scale
But his efforts come amid concerns that the Trump administration may be trying to interfere in the New York mayoral election after giving support to Eric Adams, who is currently in fourth place in the poll. Republican Curtis Swa follows Adams.
Adams is reportedly playing a role in the Trump administration. The New York Times reported that Trump is considering nominating him as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador and cites four people who are familiar with the issue. On Friday, Trump denied claims that he was considering Adams for the role.
It’s days after Adams denied he was in discussions with the Trump administration to be considered by the Housing and Urban Development Agency post.
Adams told reporters Friday that he would not drop out of the race in another New York Times report.
Representatives from the Adams campaign did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.
Cuomo also pushed back allegations of involvement in the president’s race.
“I don’t want him (Trump) to do anything to do with my race,” Cuomo told reporters Friday.
The second Cuomo still believes Mamdani’s camp is concerned that voters will flock to his campaign if another Republican, Adams or Curtis Swawa, drops out of the race.
Mamdani holds the lead in polls, but has not broken the 50% mark in either of them.
Cuomo’s campaign did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.
Mamdani also pushed back Trump’s involvement in race.
“This is the city we choose our mayor,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani also introduced Bill Ackman, CEO of hedge fund Persing Square. And when Mamdani decided to nominate the Democratic Party, Ackman pledged to fund a more “centristic” candidate.
National push
New York mayoral race is the largest city in the country and has attracted attention as a global hub for finance and media, but it is far from the only place where progressive has achieved positions. Throughout the US, left-leaning candidates are increasing the challenges in cities, both large and small, and often focus on income inequality, housing costs and increased workers’ protection.
Sanders pointed out that Mamdani’s surge and backlash from the White House are his views as there is momentum in the progressive wave.
“What they fear is that the mum dani is an example of what will happen across America,” Sanders told supporters.
In Minneapolis, Sen. Omar Fate, a progressive Democrat, is running for mayor against incumbent Jacob Frey. His campaign reflects the themes raised by New York’s Mamdani, highlighting affordable housing and strong protections for workers.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Alex Ubaraz operates on a “Housing for All” platform, pledging stricter rental protections and more transitional housing for residents suffering from addiction.
In Seattle, Washington, progressive organizer Katie Wilson is challenging Mayor Bruce Harrell with a platform focused on housing costs, homelessness and small businesses.
However, the movement faces obstacles, including federal levels. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson clashed with Trump. Trump describes cities as “sacrificed sectors” despite the downward crime rates. Chicago’s homicide rate in the first half of 2025 was 33% lower than the same time frame last year.
Back in New York, Mamdani said that if Trump is doing the same thing in a city, the city must prepare.
“We have to prepare for the inevitability of that development. Because something is illegal, Donald Trump cannot convince himself that he won’t do that,” Mamdani said.
He highlights the need for coordination with California, citing California as an example. So the Mayor of Los Angeles, the state Attorney General and Governor Gavin Newsom successfully deployed the National Guard in court and was found to be illegal.
Still, if Trump sends security guards under the banner of combat crime, he would not be the first. Last year, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard to patrol the National Guard in the name of public safety.
New York Police Data released last week showed that the city recorded fewer shootings in the first eight months of this year than in comparable periods of its history.
