NEW YORK CITY, NY — In the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s surprise victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, political commentators are sounding off—none more sharply than Fox News analyst Emily Compagno, who called Mamdani’s platform “a fantastical 8th-grade presidential run” during a fiery segment on Gutfeld! Thursday night.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist Assemblymember from Queens, defeated multiple establishment candidates to become the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. With the general election just months away, reactions across the political spectrum have been swift—and polarizing.

A SHOCK PRIMARY RESULT

Zohran Mamdani, best known for his outspoken support of housing justice, public transit expansion, and abolishing NYPD’s qualified immunity, won the NYC mayoral primary with 38% of the vote, defeating centrist and moderate candidates who were expected to dominate.

Political analysts say the result reflects a growing appetite among younger and progressive voters for bold, left-wing leadership—but critics argue his policies are dangerously unrealistic.

COMPAGNO RESPONDS: “THIS ISN’T A COLLEGE DEBATE CLUB”

During Thursday’s episode of Fox’s late-night roundtable show Gutfeld!,” co-host Kat Timpf and the panel analyzed Mamdani’s victory. But it was Emily Compagno, a former federal attorney and co-host of Outnumbered, who delivered the most scathing critique.

“These policies sound like they came out of a fantastical 8th-grade presidential run—not a serious bid to run the most complex city in America,” Compagno said. “Free everything, no police accountability, and no economic plan to pay for it? It’s a wish list, not a platform.”

She added,

“If Mamdani thinks he’s going to ‘transform’ New York City, he better start by figuring out how to keep the subways running and the streets safe—something he hasn’t offered a concrete plan for.”

KAT TIMPF JOINS IN: “IT’S TWITTER POLITICS, NOT REAL LEADERSHIP”

Fellow panelist Kat Timpf chimed in with her own trademark sarcasm:

“I’m sure TikTok loves him, but how does that help small business owners who are getting taxed into extinction? Or crime victims who don’t care about slogans—they want results?”

She also warned that New Yorkers might be “romanticizing revolution” and may regret it when “the garbage isn’t collected and crime keeps climbing.”

MAMDANI’S RESPONSE: “THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE”

While Mamdani has not responded directly to the Fox News panel, he did speak at a rally the day after his primary victory, where he appeared to address critics.

“They will say our ideas are too bold. Too big. Too unrealistic. But I say what’s unrealistic is continuing to accept a city where working people can’t afford to live,” Mamdani told supporters.
“This isn’t fantasy—it’s democracy finally working for the many, not the few.”

THE STAKES FOR NEW YORK

Mamdani will now face Republican candidate John Castorini, a former NYPD commissioner running on a law-and-order platform, in the general election. Early polling suggests Mamdani has a strong lead in the heavily Democratic city—but opposition voices are growing louder.

Business groups, police unions, and even some centrist Democrats have expressed concern that Mamdani’s tax plans, proposed NYPD budget cuts, and tenant protections will spark an exodus of employers and drive real estate instability.

FOX PANEL: “GET READY FOR A REALITY CHECK”

Wrapping the segment, the Gutfeld! panel predicted that Mamdani’s campaign would face a harsh reality during the general election season.

“The press might fawn over him now,” Compagno concluded. “But governing is a whole different game than tweeting about justice. If he wins in November, we’ll see how long the fantasy lasts.”

📊 General election polls will be updated next week as Mamdani and Castorini begin their first head-to-head debates. Stay with us for coverage.
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