“It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday after Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, recorded a significant lead against Andrew Cuomo, forcing the former New York governor to concede the primary race.

If elected in November’s general election, Mamdani would be New York’s youngest mayor in a century, its first Muslim mayor and the first person of South Asian descent to lead the city.

The Queens assemblyman rose in the polls from virtual obscurity thanks to extensive social media outreach, a sophisticated volunteer network, massive donor support and direct mail that resonated with young and progressive voters.

The mayoral campaign will be closely watched as a barometer on the direction of US politics going into next year’s crucial congressional midterms – especially on issues such as crime, immigration and housing affordability.

Mamdani still needs to face Mayor Eric Adams, who won the 2021 election as a Democrat but is running this time as an independent, after he became the first sitting mayor in the city’s modern history to be indicted on federal charges.

The Trump administration ordered those charges dismissed earlier this year. Other candidates include Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent Jim Walden, and potentially Cuomo, who may run a third-party ticket.