Why Zohran Mamdani, New York's mayor-elect, cannot become US president
What's the story
Zohran Mamdani, who will soon take over as New York City's mayor, is making history as the city's first Muslim and youngest leader in over a century. His campaign focused on ambitious economic and social proposals, appealing to younger voters and working-class communities. However, despite his popularity and potential for national politics, Mamdani is constitutionally barred from running for the presidency of the United States.
Constitutional barrier
Why Mamdani can't run for US presidency
The United States Constitution explicitly states that only a "natural-born Citizen" can be eligible for the presidency. This definition excludes those who were born outside the United States and later naturalized as citizens. Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-Ugandan parents and became a naturalized citizen in 2018, does not meet this requirement.
Election outcome
Broader Democratic victories in recent elections
Mamdani's victory is part of a larger trend of Democratic gains across several states, including New Jersey and Virginia. These wins are seen as a boost for the party after recent losses to Donald Trump's Republicans. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called it "a huge rejection of Trump extremism." The victories also included judicial elections and school board seats in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and legislative gains in Mississippi.
Campaign focus
Shift in economic focus for Democrats
Mamdani's campaign was based on democratic socialist principles and was seen to resonate with young voters and workers facing rising costs of living. He emphasized the need for action on economic issues, saying that it's not enough to diagnose the crisis in working-class Americans's lives. He said, "I think the lesson for the president is that it's not enough to diagnose the crisis in working-class Americans' lives. You have to deliver."
Presidential response
Trump's response to Mamdani's victory
In response to Mamdani's election, President Trump alluded to the US losing "a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York." He wished success for the new mayor and hinted at possible assistance from his administration. Despite Mamdani's non-eligibility for the presidency, his rise reflects changing dynamics within American politics and highlights ongoing debates about citizenship and leadership eligibility.