New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist in his first year as mayor, has found an unlikely alignment with President Donald Trump on one issue: promising to bring down costs for everyday Americans. But as the war in Iran leads to rising gas prices, Mamdani is drawing a sharp distinction between his message and the administration's approach, citing the late rapper Tupac Shakur in the process.
In an interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker airing on 'Meet the Press' this weekend, Mamdani argued that the war with Iran should be opposed not only on political and moral grounds but also on economic grounds. He pointed to what he called the high human and financial cost of U.S. military operations.
"We are looking to deliver relief to New Yorkers, frankly even from before this war. Because while war has exacerbated a cost-of-living crisis, that is a crisis that existed from even before the time I was running for mayor. And it's reflected in the fact that we are the most expensive city in the United States of America," Mamdani said.
What the Right Is Saying
Trump, who won his presidential race in part on a message of bringing down costs for Americans, has sharply criticized Mamdani's governance. In a Truth Social post published this week, Trump accused the New York City mayor of "destroying" the city with his tax policies.
The administration has defended its approach to Iran, with Trump touting what he called diplomatic progress. Following news that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open for commercial ships, Trump hailed the announcement while maintaining that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports "will remain in full force" until a peace deal is reached.
Trump's supporters have argued that the president's Iran policy protects American interests and that military operations are necessary to prevent further instability in the Middle East. Critics of Mamdani's position, including some moderate Democrats and Republicans, have suggested that opposing the Iran conflict could undermine efforts to stabilize regional tensions.
The White House has also pointed to economic benefits from the resolution of the Strait of Hormuz situation, noting that oil prices plunged sharply following the announcement and that two U.S. stock indexes hit all-time highs.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and cost-of-living advocates have rallied behind Mamdani's framing, arguing that the billions spent on military operations abroad could be redirected to address domestic economic struggles. Mamdani's office has emphasized that New York City residents face the highest cost of living in the nation, a crisis he says predates the current conflict with Iran.
"We are speaking about a federal administration that has spent upwards of $28 billion killing thousands of people all the way over in the Middle East, at the same time as we're being told that this money cannot be found to invest in working-class Americans across this country," Mamdani said, invoking Tupac's famous lyric: "And I wish that the words of Tupac from the '90s weren't still prescient, but they continue to be true for too many, which is that 'we always have money for war and not to feed the poor.'"
Mamdani's opposition to the Iran war aligns with majority sentiment among Americans, according to recent polling. A Reuters/Ipsos survey released this week found 60% of Americans disapproved of the strikes against Iran, while 35% approved. The mayor's position has resonated with progressive activists who have long advocated for redirecting military spending toward domestic priorities.
What the Numbers Show
Recent polling provides a clear picture of public sentiment on the Iran conflict. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found 60% of Americans disapproved of the U.S. strikes against Iran, with only 35% approving. A CBS/YouGov poll released last weekend found nearly two-thirds of Americans disapproved of the president's handling of Iran, while 36% approved.
Mamdani cited a figure of "upwards of $28 billion" in describing the cost of the Iran military operations. The mayor has made two White House visits since his election last November, attempting to forge a productive relationship with the Trump administration despite their policy differences.
The polling data shows that Mamdani's critique resonates with a majority of Americans who have grown skeptical of continued U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, even as the administration has framed its actions as necessary for national security.
The Bottom Line
Mamdani's interview highlights the political tension between cost-of-living concerns and foreign policy, an issue that cuts across party lines. His use of Tupac's lyrics to frame the debate reflects a broader progressive argument that domestic economic priorities are being overshadowed by military spending.
The mayor's position puts him in sync with majority public opinion on the Iran war, according to recent polling, but he faces sharp criticism from Trump, who has attacked his fiscal policies. The Strait of Hormuz announcement and subsequent market reaction suggest that even as geopolitical tensions persist, there are signs of economic stabilization that both sides may seek to leverage politically.
Tune in to 'Meet the Press' this Sunday for the full interview with Mamdani, as well as appearances by United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz and NBC News' Steve Kornacki for polling analysis.