New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is at the center of a heated political debate. Critics, including former President Donald Trump and prominent Republican figures, have labeled the 33-year-old Queens representative a "communist." However, fact-checkers and political experts strongly disagree, clarifying that Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, not a communist.

A recent report by Al Jazeera debunked the claims, emphasizing that Mamdani's policies do not align with communism’s core principles, such as abolishing private property or enforcing a one-party state. Instead, his platform includes progressive reforms like affordable public transportation, subsidized childcare, government-owned grocery stores, and increased corporate taxes—ideas commonly seen in democratic systems across Europe and Canada.

"Zohran Mamdani is not a communist," said Anna Grzymala-Busse, a Stanford University expert on international politics. "His proposals aim to reduce the cost of living for working-class citizens, not to dismantle capitalism."

Despite this, Trump recently called Mamdani a "100 percent communist maniac" on his Truth Social platform, fueling a wave of similar criticism from right-wing figures like Elise Stefanik and Ben Shapiro.

Mamdani’s rise in popularity represents a shift in urban politics, offering a bold vision for addressing New York City’s skyrocketing living costs. Pitted against Republican Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani's campaign is being viewed as a test of progressive ideals in one of the world’s most influential cities.

Whether Mamdani’s ideas resonate with voters or face rejection, this election is shaping up to be a defining moment in New York City’s political landscape.