NYC Mayoral Hopeful Zohran Mamdani’s Communal Living Plan Sparks Outrage

New York City’s mayoral race is heating up, and democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani is at the center of a firestorm. A resurfaced 2021 video has critics buzzing, accusing him of pushing communist ideals by advocating for replacing private homes with communal living. Mamdani brushes off the 'communist' label as a distraction, but his words are fueling the debate.

In the video, Mamdani calls for a radical shift in housing policy, urging the de-commodification of homes. 'Housing shouldn’t be a market-driven product like cars or clothes,' he argues, pointing to the housing crisis where empty homes sit while homelessness rises. His vision? Turn luxury condos into shared spaces with communal laundry, kitchens, and food co-ops, inspired by post-war Vienna’s housing model.

Mamdani’s plan includes creating community land trusts to buy up private properties and convert them to public ownership, guaranteeing housing as a human right. Critics, including former President Donald Trump, aren’t buying it. Trump labeled Mamdani a 'Communist Lunatic' on Truth Social, vowing to 'save New York City' by withholding federal funds if Mamdani’s elected. Others, like former Obama Treasury Secretary, warn his policies could harm the city’s economy.

While Mamdani concedes Vienna’s model still involves some rent and private housing, he insists it’s a step toward equitable living. Supporters see his ideas as bold solutions to a broken system; detractors call them a Marxist pipe dream. As the campaign unfolds, Mamdani’s vision is sparking a fierce debate about the future of housing—and power—in NYC.