As election day loomed over New York City, mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani opted for a low-key night out rather than the spotlight, taking in the Knicks’ 128-116 win over the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden.
Unlike some of his political rivals, Mamdani chose the nosebleeds over courtside glamour, signaling his everyman approach to voters.
The 34-year-old Democratic candidate, who has drawn attention for his progressive policies and been labeled a ‘communist’ by former President Donald Trump, sat quietly in section 212 alongside comedian and campaign supporter The Kid Mero, enjoying the game without the fanfare.
A Casual, Fan-Friendly Look for the Candidate
Mamdani’s attire made it clear he was there as a fan first.
He wore a white collared shirt under a Josh Hart No. 3 Knicks jersey, topped with a black Knicks special edition ‘New York or Nowhere’ cap.
Social media clips showed Mamdani laughing and making a shushing gesture at the camera, with Mero jokingly introducing him as his ‘cousin’ to a bemused fan.
Most spectators appeared unaware of the candidate’s presence, even as he sang along to Backstreet Boys’ classic ‘I Want It That Way.’
Trump Targets Mamdani in Election Spotlight
While Mamdani kept a low profile at the Garden, Trump continued to make headlines with comments about the mayoral race.
Appearing on CBS’ 60 Minutes, the former president suggested he would withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani wins.
‘It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York,’ Trump said, warning that a Communist mayor would mismanage resources.
He added that he prefers the disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo over Mamdani, stating, ‘If it’s gonna be between a bad Democrat and a Communist, I’m gonna pick the bad Democrat all the time.’
Trump also compared Mamdani to Bill de Blasio, calling the former mayor ‘the worst in history.’
Legal Tensions with the Knicks
Despite Mamdani’s casual approach at the game, he’s faced some legal friction with the NBA franchise.
The Knicks issued a cease-and-desist over a campaign advertisement that used their logo, replacing ‘Knicks’ with ‘Zohran.’
The team clarified they did not endorse Mamdani and demanded all campaign materials featuring their intellectual property be removed.
Mamdani’s campaign complied, pulling the ad before the weekend, after which the Knicks reiterated that they would pursue legal remedies if necessary.
The High-Stakes Atmosphere at MSG
While Mamdani quietly enjoyed the Knicks’ victory, the election heat was unmistakable.
With Cuomo, independent candidate Curtis Sliwa, and Mamdani all vying for voters’ attention, each public appearance has become a microcosm of the larger race.
For Mamdani, blending in with the crowd at Madison Square Garden may have been a calculated move: reinforcing his image as an approachable, relatable candidate while navigating a city election filled with high-profile scrutiny, legal entanglements, and political tension from the nation’s highest office.