New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani encountered difficulty in defining the "working class" during a recent interview with The New York Times, stating that anyone who "has to work to pay [their] bills" could be considered part of it. When pressed by interviewer Lulu Garcia-Navarro on whether this definition included individuals earning $250,000 annually, Mamdani broadened his initial response.
"What I would say is those who are working to try and afford the basic dignities of life and aren’t able to do so, I think that that is also working class," Mamdani stated. He further elaborated that he drew the line at "about a million dollars a year" in income when discussing fiscal policy. Mamdani indicated a focus on increasing resources for a broader group, stating, "I think there’s only one majority in this country — it’s the working class."
Garcia-Navarro questioned the accuracy of labeling individuals like lawyers and janitors under the same "working class" umbrella. Mamdani appeared to pivot the conversation, referencing his mayoral campaign experience. He noted that New Yorkers often inquired if they were included in his vision rather than focusing on specific income brackets or levels of struggle. "It’s not that everyone is making the same amount of money or facing the same amount of struggle, but that they just want to know, is there any way for them to actually be able to work this hard and afford a good life in the city?" he said.
The interview also touched upon Mamdani's stance on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and indicated his administration was discussing potential legal actions if Netanyahu were to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. He reiterated his support for an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Netanyahu.