Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as History-Making Mayor of New York City

Zohran Mamdani is officially New York City’s first Muslim mayor.

Mamdani, 34, was sworn in after midnight on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 in a private ceremony. He was joined by his wife, Rama Duwaji. He broke tradition by holding his swearing-in ceremony at an abandoned subway station located beneath City Hall in Manhattan.

A public ceremony will be held Thursday, Jan. 1 at City Hall Plaza, where Mamdani will be introduced by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s presence underscores the leaders central to the movement to usher in a new era for New York City — one focused on delivering an affordability agenda and reimagining what government can do for working people,” Mamdani’s transition team said in a statement.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a fellow democratic socialist, will also be in attendance at the public ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, Sanders said he is “honored” to take part in the historic moment.

“His inauguration will represent the blending of our city on a subway filled with cacophony, diversity, challenge and opportunity,” Sanders told Fox News Digital. “The subway is a lifeblood of our city, and a great equalizer for New Yorkers. All of us are treated the same on the subway; it connects and binds New Yorkers in our daily lives. For all of our strengths and weaknesses as individuals, we ride together on the train, to places far and wide.”

Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, beat opponents Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa in the mayoral election on Nov. 4. Despite opponents frequently, incorrectly, referring to him as a “communist,” the Uganda-born politician identifies as a democratic socialist, like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders.

In his acceptance speech on election night, the mayor-elect told supporters he would fulfill his pledge to “respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves.”

He even spoke directly to President Donald Trump, saying, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him,” referring to Trump’s birthplace in Queens and eventual status as a real estate magnate in Manhattan.

“And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This is not only how we stop Trump; it’s how we stop the next one,” Mamdani continued.

“We will hold bad landlords to account because the Donald Trumps of our city have grown far too comfortable taking advantage of their tenants. We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks,” he said. “New York will remain a city of immigrants: a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

Just weeks after his election, Mamdani visited Trump at the White House, where the pair seemed to have a surprisingly cordial meeting despite their political differences.

Trump, in particular, who is well-known for his outspoken ire against opponents and perceived enemies, spoke highly of the mayor-elect.

“Being the mayor of New York City is a big deal,” the president, 79, said. “Especially now. I think you’re at a turning point… I think you have a chance to make it great.”

Mamdani repeatedly noted that, during his campaign, he spoke with Trump voters in New York who expressed that their biggest concern was the cost of living and housing — something both leaders agreed was a major priority for the city.

Even when reporters attempted to bait the pair by calling up past quotes when Mamdani referred to Trump as a “fascist” and a “despot,” the president didn’t bite.

“That’s alright,” Trump said with a laugh. “I’ve been called much worse than a despot.”

Ultimately, Trump was asked what might have been the most important question of the press conference: “You used to call New York City home. Would you feel comfortable living in New York City under a Mamdani administration?”

“Yeah, I would. I really would,” he admitted. “Especially after the meeting. We agree on a lot more than I would have thought.”

Mamdani’s swearing-in marked the end of Eric Adams’ single term as mayor.

Adams, a moderate Democrat who ran for reelection in 2025 as an independent, remained deeply unpopular throughout his four years in the Gracie Mansion.

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A mid-term poll in December 2023 revealed that most voters lacked faith in Adams’ leadership abilities and were already dissatisfied with his handling of homelessness and the city budget.

That was a year before a drawn-out corruption investigation resulted in a damning federal indictment that charged him with taking foreign bribes during his rise to power. Though the Trump administration ultimately moved to dismiss his case, the public fallout across party lines remained. In March 2025, Adams had the lowest approval ratings in Quinnipiac Polling history, with only 20% approving and 56% believing he should resign.

Adams, 65, barreled forward with his reelection bid anyway, running as an independent candidate to avoid being ousted in the Democratic primary. After polling in the single digits in late September, Adams ended his campaign, though his name remained on N.Y.C. ballots.