In the early hours of January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, was officially inducted as New York City’s 112th Mayor during a private ceremony held at the historic old City Hall subway station. The swearing-in marked the conclusion of a fiercely contested election in which Mamdani emerged victorious over Republican activist Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Assuming office at the age of 34, Mamdani distinguished himself as the youngest individual to hold the mayoralty in over a century and as the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history. The ceremony was conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who administered the oath placing Mamdani's hand on a copy of the Qur'an, reflecting his Muslim faith.
Among those present at the occasion were Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, and his parents: acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor specializing in African studies. The ceremony preceded a larger, formal inauguration scheduled to take place at New York City Hall later in the week, with former Mayor Eric Adams also attending the private event.
Marking the start of his tenure, Mamdani used his official mayoral social media account to share a message that emphasized transformation: "Welcome to a new era for NYC." In this brief statement, he signaled an intent to usher in changes that would redefine the city’s trajectory under his leadership.
The new mayor has already attracted notable political attention. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) publicly expressed his pride in swearing in Mamdani, highlighting the election as a symbolic victory over entrenched political establishments, including major Democratic and Republican figures, former President Trump, and oligarchic influences. Sanders conveyed his hopes for Mamdani’s success in this challenging position.
In November 2025, Mamdani held a notable meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House amid ongoing concerns about affordability crises in New York City. Trump described the encounter as “very productive” and praised Mamdani's campaign against formidable opponents. This engagement, along with interactions involving high-profile citizens, underscores the complex political dynamics surrounding the new administration.
However, skepticism has also arisen from prominent figures. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc., publicly questioned Mamdani's choices after the announcement of Lillian Bonsignore as the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) commissioner, citing concerns about her lack of experience. Mamdani defended this appointment, noting Bonsignore's extensive 30-plus years of service in emergency medical services, underscoring his confidence in her qualifications.
Tensions between Mamdani and Musk had surfaced earlier, particularly when Musk endorsed Andrew Cuomo for the mayoralty, whom Mamdani vocally criticized for accepting nearly $1 billion in tax breaks. Mamdani framed this endorsement as emblematic of broader criticisms targeting establishment politics and fiscal priorities.
As Mamdani embarks on his mayoral duties, the city anticipates a fresh approach informed by his relatively youthful perspective and diverse background. Given the political challenges and the high expectations from various stakeholders, his tenure will likely be closely observed for developments impacting New York City's governance, social equity, and economic landscape.