An angrier Mamdani.
Liberal commentator Van Jones was among those raising concerns Tuesday night after Democratic socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani delivered a rage-filled victory speech, noting what he described as an instant “character switch” once Mamdani claimed power.
A roaring Mamdani wasted no time declaring a mandate for his sweeping progressive agenda and taunting President Trump as he rallied supporters in a raucous celebration following his win.
Jones, speaking live on CNN, pointed out that the 34-year-old’s defiant tone stood in stark contrast to the measured, even-tempered candidate voters saw throughout the campaign.
“I think he missed an opportunity. I think the Mamdani that we saw in the campaign trail, who was a lot more calm, who was a lot warmer, who was a lot more embracing, was not present in that speech,” Jones told a post-election CNN panel.
“I think his tone was sharp. I think he was using the microphone in a way that he was almost yelling. That’s not the Mamdani that we’ve seen on Tiktok and the great interviews and stuff like that.”
“I felt like it was a little bit of a character switch here,” he continued, noting that the once “warm, open, embracing guy” had seemingly vanished.
Watch the clip below:
CNN's Van Jones was not a fan of Zohran Mamdani's angry, far-left, rage-filled victory speech:
"I think he missed an opportunity. I think the Mamdani that we saw in the campaign trail, who was a lot more calm, who was a lot warmer, who was a lot more embracing, was not present… pic.twitter.com/aM2AlcgM1U
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) November 5, 2025
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