By: Carl Schwartzbaum

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and prominent state assemblyman from Queens, has made headlines again — this time with a personal announcement that blends family celebration, political commentary, and a pointed exchange with his critics and the media. According to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post, Mamdani revealed in a social media video on Sunday that he is traveling to Uganda, his country of birth, to celebrate his marriage with family and friends.

In a video posted on his X account, Mamdani addressed both his supporters and detractors in a message that mixed humor with a direct response to critics who have targeted his immigrant background. “Being a politician means listening, not just to your supporters, but to your critics too,” Mamdani said in the video, a quote prominently featured in The New York Post’s reporting. He referenced a series of social media posts that told him to “go back to Africa,” saying with a wry smile that he had decided to take that advice — though on his own terms.

“I hear you, and I agree: I’m going back to Uganda,” Mamdani said, clarifying that his trip was strictly personal and centered on his marriage to Rama Duwaji, a 27-year-old artist and animator. The New York Post report noted that Mamdani first announced his marriage earlier this year and shared details of the union in a May post on X.

The marriage itself was a private affair earlier in the year, but the Uganda visit is intended as a celebration with extended family and close friends. Mamdani made it clear in his video that his return to New York would be swift and that his campaign for mayor remains in full swing. “But I do want to apologize to the haters, because I will be coming back,” Mamdani said in the video, a statement that The New York Post highlighted as emblematic of his penchant for political showmanship.

Mamdani’s remarks also included a direct jab at The New York Post, a publication known for its critical coverage of the assemblyman and his political positions. With characteristic sarcasm, Mamdani predicted that The New York Post would cover his trip — and even offered a few mock headlines for the outlet to consider. “And since you will undoubtedly read about this trip in The New York Post — inshallah on the front page — here are a few of my humble suggestions for headlines,” he said, before riffing on the tabloid’s famously bold style.

The New York Post has previously covered Mamdani’s political rise, often scrutinizing his progressive policies, his alignment with socialist movements, and his venomously hostile stance on Israel’s right to exist as well as his anti-Jewish remarks. His latest comments reflect an ongoing dynamic in which Mamdani appears to engage — sometimes playfully, sometimes combatively — with the media outlet’s coverage of his activities.

In addition to Mamdani’s own video message, his campaign released a formal statement regarding the trip, emphasizing its personal nature. As reported by The New York Post, the statement read: “Zohran is traveling to Uganda, where he is celebrating his marriage to Rama with their family and close friends. He will return to New York before the end of the month and looks forward to resuming public events and continuing his campaign to make the most expensive city in America affordable.”

The announcement, while framed as a personal update, comes at a pivotal time for Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. Mamdani’s candidacy has stirred significant debate within New York City political circles. Running on a platform that calls for aggressive economic reform, expanded social services, and a dramatic overhaul of housing policies, Mamdani has positioned himself as a leading figure among the city’s progressive and socialist movements.

Critics have pointed to Mamdani’s positions on issues such as policing, housing affordability, and foreign policy — particularly his antagonistic perspective on Israel — as points of contention. The New York Post has consistently highlighted these aspects of Mamdani’s record, reflecting the broader political debate surrounding his campaign.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani’s base of supporters remains steadfast. His use of humor and self-deprecation in addressing critics — as demonstrated in his Uganda trip announcement — is a hallmark of his political style.

Mamdani’s background as an immigrant has also been a recurring theme in both his political messaging and media coverage. Born in Uganda and relocating to the United States at the age of seven, Mamdani frequently references his immigrant story as central to his understanding of social justice and governance. This narrative plays into both his appeal among progressive voters and the criticism he faces from opponents who challenge his policy positions and political affiliations.

The decision to announce his trip in a manner that directly addresses critics, while simultaneously poking fun at media coverage, speaks volumes about Mamdani’s strategy of remaining in the public eye even during personal moments. As The New York Post reported, Mamdani’s dual message — a celebration of his marriage and a challenge to his detractors — reflects a deliberate effort to control the narrative surrounding his campaign.

Looking ahead, Mamdani’s return to the city will likely coincide with a resumption of public campaign events as the 2025 mayoral election draws closer. The field of candidates, which includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, has made the upcoming race one of the most closely watched in recent memory. Mamdani’s campaign, with its combination of grassroots activism and socialist policy proposals, remains a focal point of media attention.

The New York political landscape is marked by a sharp divide between progressive and moderate factions — a divide that Mamdani’s candidacy seems poised to amplify. His decision to embrace media scrutiny, rather than shy away from it, is a calculated move that positions him as both a disruptor and a contender within a crowded mayoral race.

While Mamdani’s critics may seize upon his Uganda trip as fodder for political attacks, his supporters view the announcement — and his handling of it — as evidence of his authenticity and resilience. As The New York Post observed, Mamdani’s political career has been defined as much by his policy proposals as by his ability to command attention through unconventional communication tactics.

Whether the Uganda trip will have any lasting impact on the trajectory of his campaign remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Zohran Mamdani remains a politically dangerous figure who is unafraid to challenge media narratives, and place himself at the center of New York City’s evolving political conversation.

With his return to New York anticipated by the end of the month, Mamdani’s next steps — both on the campaign trail and in the media spotlight — are expected to draw continued scrutiny from media outlets, ensuring that his candidacy remains a defining element of the city’s political discourse in the months ahead.