Agencies Washington

Zohran Mamdani, who is the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor after a stunning victory last week, has said no-one should have billions of dollars. In an interview with NBC, Mamdani stood by his proposal to tax “richer and whiter” neighborhoods, arguing the city’s property tax system is unfair. The 33-year-old defended his democratic socialism, rejecting an accusation from US President Trump he is a communist.

If elected in November, he would be the first Muslim and Indian American to lead the nation’s largest city. Mamdani ran an energetic campaign focused on affordability, promising free buses, universal childcare, a $30 minimum hourly wage, a rent freeze and city-run supermarkets - all paid for with higher taxes on the top 1% of earners.

On NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ programme, he was asked whether billionaires have a right to exist. “I don’t think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality,” he replied.

New York’s mayor has the power to propose a hike on property taxes, but revenue increases ultimately require approval from the state legislature and the governor.In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, President Trump threatened to cut off federal funding for New York City if Mamdani wins, calling him a “pure communist”.

Mamdani denied being a communist, adding: “I have already to start to get used to the fact that the president will talk about how I look, how I sound, where I’m from, who I am, ultimately because he wants to distract from what I am fighting for.”