Fox News host Jesse Watters has sparked widespread reaction after his coverage of Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. The 33-year-old Democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens won the primary with a commanding lead, making him the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor in the 2025 election.
Watters dubbed Mamdani “Zohran the Destroyer” during his show, claiming the politician was about to give Karl Marx a “woke makeover.” The Fox News segment featured dramatic graphics and commentary that portrayed Mamdani’s progressive policies as extreme and dangerous to the city’s future, typical of Watters’ inflammatory style that often backfires.
Social media users quickly noticed the irony in Watters’ approach, with one Twitter user commenting, ‘Jesse must love lawsuits’ in response to the coverage, a reference to Watters’ history of controversial remarks that have gotten him in trouble. Another comment pointed out that turning Mamdani into a dramatic figure like a “destroyer” might actually help his image rather than hurt it.
Conservative media ramps up attacks on progressive candidate
Following Mamdani’s surprise victory in Tuesday’s primary, conservatives and far-right influencers worked overtime to frame him as a “Marxist,” a “terrorist sympathizer,” and a “Muslim jihadist.” Fox News led this charge with multiple segments criticizing his policy proposals and background.
Jesse must love lawsuits
— BareKS833 (@BearKS833) June 28, 2025
The attacks focus heavily on Mamdani’s plan to tax “richer and whiter” neighborhoods, which he has publicly defended as part of his broader economic agenda. His mayoral campaign includes promises of free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for people in rent-regulated apartments, new affordable housing, and raising taxes on the wealthy.
Republicans are using Mamdani’s win to paint Democrats as extreme, hoping to capitalize on fears about progressive policies among moderate voters. However, Mamdani won over Democratic primary voters with what supporters describe as an optimistic message centered on cost-of-living issues, backed by a sprawling grassroots campaign that brought out thousands of volunteers across the city’s five boroughs.
