Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is reaffirming her sharp criticism of Zohran Mamdani, insisting he is “a jihadist” even after the New York City mayor-elect’s meeting with President Donald Trump last week.
During an interview on Monday, News 12 senior political reporter Tara Rosenblum pressed Stefanik on Trump’s public disagreement with her characterization.
Stefanik said she stands firmly by her warnings.
“I strongly believe that Zohran Mamdani is catastrophic for the people of New York City and really for the people of New York State, particularly when you consider the fact that New York City and the greater New York City region is home to more Jewish families than any other part of the world outside of Israel,” Stefanik said.
“And yet it is increasingly dangerous.
“We’ve seen a skyrocketing of antisemitism.”
She continued by citing Mamdani’s political record and associations:
“And you have Zohran Mamdani, who is a defund-the-police, tax-hiking socialist who has campaigned with an unindicted co-conspirator of terrorist attacks, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed New Yorkers.
“So I stand by my statement, he is a jihadist.
“And this is an area where President Trump and I disagree.”
WATCH:
Stefanik, who recently entered the New York gubernatorial race to challenge Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, made clear that Mamdani’s policy agenda and past alliances raise security concerns she is unwilling to soften.
Trump Takes a Different View After Meeting With Mamdani
Following Trump’s meeting with Mamdani on Friday, a reporter asked the president whether he believed he was standing next to a “jihadist,” referencing Stefanik’s earlier remarks.
Trump rejected the label.
“No, I don’t,” Trump said, according to The Hill.
“But she’s out there campaigning, and you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign.
“She’s a very capable person.
“But, you’d really have to ask her about that.
“I met with a man who is a very rational person.
“I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”
Trump said he and Mamdani found shared priorities.
“We have one thing in common,” he said.
“We want this city of ours that we love to do very well.
The president also praised Mamdani’s electoral performance, saying he “ran an incredible race” and “beat them easily.”
According to Trump, the two discussed issues such as housing, affordability, and food prices.
Mamdani Responds, Calls Trump a “Fascist”
Despite the meeting’s cordial tone, Mamdani told NBC’s Kristen Welker on Sunday that he still considers Trump a “fascist.”
However, when asked whether he thought Trump was a “fascist” while he was standing next to the president in the Oval Office, Mamdani dodged the question.
The comments underscore the political divide surrounding Mamdani’s ascent and signal that the dispute between Stefanik and Trump over the mayor-elect’s record is likely far from over.
READ MORE – Mamdani Vows to Push Globalism Over Constitution: NYC Is a ‘City of International Law’
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