“You are a self-described democratic socialist,” Welker said. “Do you think that billionaires have a right to exist?”

Mamdani chuckled and then gave his answer.

“I don’t think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality, and ultimately, what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country. And I look forward to working with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fair for all of them.”

Welker then pivoted the conversation to President Donald Trump’s recent comments calling Mamdani a communist. It was an accusation that Mamdani denied. 

“Let me ask you about what Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has had to say,” Welker said. “He’s had a lot to say about your campaign. He’s called you a communist. Because he’s the president, I want to give you a chance to respond directly to him.”

“How do you respond? Are you a communist?” she asked.

“No, I am not,” Mamdani said, smirking as he answered. 

“And I’ve already had 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,” Mamdani said. “Ultimately, because he wants to distract from what I’m fighting for, and I’m fighting for the very working people that he ran a campaign to empower, that he has since then betrayed.”

OGLES ASKS DOJ TO LOOK INTO WHETHER MAMDANI SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF CITIZENSHIP

Mamdani also explained what he meant when he characterized himself as a democratic socialist, claiming he drew inspiration from civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“And when we talk about my politics, I call myself a democratic socialist in many inspired by the words of Dr. King, from decades ago, who said, call it democracy or call it democratic socialism, there has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country,” Mamdani said. “And as income inequality has declined nationwide, it has increased in New York City. And ultimately, what we need is a city where every single person can thrive.”