Zohran Mamdani, mayor-elect of New York City, has captivated many Americans with his charisma and unique campaigning style.
Social media has become a major outlet for news and information, as well as a huge source of influential material. As more and more members of Gen Z reach the legal voting age, politicians have begun to utilize popular social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and X, to persuade their target audiences and increase positive views on their campaigns.
Mamdani in particular used a campaigning style that was extremely well-received by many voters, which gave him a strong presence on many social media platforms. His videos and reels on TikTok and Instagram present him in a personable and humble manner, making him someone that voters — especially those of younger demographics — feel more inclined to trust and relate to.
Mamdani’s posts are a refreshing contrast to those of most other politicians. Where others post boring tweets and repetitive messages, or set unrealistic expectations for voters, Mamdani changes the narrative. He shares real experiences of serving at homeless shelters, supporting Starbucks employees’ rights to protest their working conditions, and fighting against the mistreatment of immigrants. His messages do not just promote positivity, compassion, and equality for all. They also demonstrate the importance of action over speech, a concept lost in American politics over the years.
Among Mamdani’s most notable demonstrations were his actions on Veterans Day. Over the years, this American holiday has become more focused on parades and public appeal rather than what it truly stands for: the appreciation and support of our country’s veterans.
At the Volunteers of America Veterans’ Commonwealth Residence, Mamdani thanked veterans for their service and said, “The days of thanking [them] today and forgetting [them] tomorrow have come to an end.”
Mamdani shared his interactions with the veterans through his social media, demonstrating to Americans the difference between himself and other politicians. He is not serving the city for the sake of publicity or fancy events. He truly cares about the people, their well-being, and giving them the respect they deserve. Furthermore, he skipped the Veterans Day Parade, stating that he “wanted to ensure that on Veterans Day, [he] actually got time to sit down with veterans and hear from them.”
Mamdani also shares light-hearted posts, like puns and casual conversations with pedestrians, further increasing his likability and charming nature through social media.
Mamdani’s unconventional campaigning style showed his human spirit and personality much more than most typical campaigning styles of the past. His campaigning strategy undoubtedly had a significant impact on his victory in the mayoral election, and has the potential to change the course of political campaigning methods in the years to come.