Huge controversies have surrounded the New York City mayoral election, specifically, the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani. On Tuesday, CNN NewsNight discussed the recent comment made by President Trump, who called Mamdani a “communist.” During the table discussion MRC Bulldog Award winner Scott Jennings was there to inform former South Carolina State Rep. Bakari Sellers that Mamdani has endorsed Soviet-style economic policies. 

A resurfaced clip from the 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America conference featured Mamdani stating, “The end goal of seizing the means of production” is an issue he “firmly” believes in. Former White House Spokesman for President George W. Bush, Pete Seat, had some words that combated the Democratic nominee’s agenda while he backed up Trump: 

But calling him a communist is not far off base when he talks about seizing the means of production. That is a Communist Party plank. He is talking about doing that, so I don’t have any problem with calling him what he is.  

Sellers tried to turn back to Trump, “And I don't have any problem calling Donald Trump a felon, or charged with rape, or fact that he doesn't pay his vendors, or the fact that he's racist because he got—” 

Jennings came by Seat’s side to agree with the statement of Mamdani as a communist, “Now, you agree with Pete that he is a communist then?” 

Sellers resisted the comparison, “He's a socialist. I'm not a socialist, but he calls himself—” 

Jennings then pressed, “He’s using the language of Bolsheviks, is he not?” 

Sellers still tried to avoid the obvious, “That's called socialism, not communism,” and Jennings reiterated, “USSR and stoned dorm debaters. That's where you hear that stuff.” 

Communist refugees have stepped forward to express their outrage over the resurfaced clip. Former Brooklyn Councilman and communist refugee Ari Kagan came forward and wrote on X: 

After Red October Socialist Revolution in 1917, Bolsheviks seized means of production, jailed or killed business owners, eliminated freedoms & took over private farms & food stores. I would never imagine NYC would consider this failed & dangerous government model. https://t.co/1qAyWvGrv3

— Ari Kagan (@AriKagan48) June 30, 2025

The country and New York City face a divide regarding what is best for America when it is time to choose leaders. New York City is one of the most well-known cities in the country and world, and people are watching to see what the outcome will be, as it could shape the future of the nation. Do the American people want great cities to turn in the communist direction?

The transcripts is below. Click “expand” to read:

CNN NewsNight
7/1/25
10:51 p.m. Eastern

 BAKARI SELLERS: I would -- I'm going to the barbershop on Thursday, and my barber does not care. I need a tape up. I know. But my barber doesn't -- Tremaine does not care about who the mayor of New York City is. He simply does not.

 SCOTT JENNINGS: Listen, comrade. It's an important city.

 SELLERS: Can you not touch me? Can you not touch me? I was waiting on that. I was waiting on that.

 ABBY PHILLIP: I mean, we glossed over the fact that Trump threatened to arrest him and called him illegal, but that's, you know, I guess, just another day.

 PETE SEAT: Yeah. Well, and I should point out, this whole, he says that he's a democratic socialist. He's a socialist. I'll be kind. But calling him a communist is not far off base when he talks about seizing the means of production. That is a Communist Party plank. He is talking about doing that, so I don't have any problem with calling him what he is. 

 SELLERS: And I don't have any problem calling Donald Trump a felon, or charged with rape, or fact that he doesn't pay his vendors, or the fact that he's racist because he got -- 

 [Crosstalk]

 SELLERS: So, I don't have any problems. And you're right.

CHRISTINE QUINN: As all of those--

SELLERS: And you know what. You may have a democratic socialist elected as mayor of New York City.

JENNINGS: Now, you agree with Pete that he is a communist then

QUINN: He's not a communist.

SELLERS: He's a socialist.

JENNINGS: He said seize the means of production

SELLERS: He's a socialist.

QUINN: He is not a communist.

SELLERS: I'm not a socialist, but he calls himself—

JENNINGS: He’s literally— He's using the language of the Bolsheviks, is he not?

SELLERS: That's no. He's not. He's a socialist, not a communist.

PHILLIP: All right

JENNINGS: Seizing the means of production.

SELLERS: That's called socialism, not communism.

JENNINGS: USSR and stoned dorm debaters.

SELLERS: Those are different.

JENNINGS: That's where you that stuff.