President Donald Trump has unleashed a biting new moniker on Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, branding him with a label that’s sure to stir the pot, Fox News reported.

With less than two months until Election Day in November, Trump has dubbed Mamdani “my little communist” during a Fox News interview, while Mamdani, a democratic socialist, holds a substantial lead in polls over competitors like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

Let’s rewind to June, when Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker from Queens, clinched the Democratic nomination for mayor, besting Cuomo and nine other contenders. Born in Uganda, he’s poised to make history as the city’s first Muslim and first millennial mayor if elected. That’s a lot of “firsts” for a candidate whose ideas are, shall we say, far from traditional.

Trump’s Nickname Sparks Policy Debate

“I call him my little communist,” Trump declared on “Fox and Friends,” doubling down with a jab at Mamdani’s primary win by calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic.” Well, that’s one way to paint a picture, but let’s be real—labels like these are more about grabbing headlines than dissecting policy substance. Still, Trump’s words reflect a deep concern among conservatives about Mamdani’s progressive agenda.

Mamdani’s platform isn’t exactly shy about its big-government leanings. He’s pushing for free bus fares, tuition-free CUNY, rent freezes on municipal housing, free childcare for kids up to age 5, and even government-run grocery stores. If that doesn’t scream “central planning,” I’m not sure what does, though supporters might argue it’s just meeting New Yorkers’ needs.

Now, Trump isn’t just tossing nicknames; he’s sounding the alarm. “We should never be in a position where we’re talking about a communist,” he warned on Fox News. It’s a fair concern for those wary of overreaching policies, though one wonders if the rhetoric risks overshadowing a needed debate on the actual proposals.

Polls Show Mamdani’s Commanding Lead

Recent polls from Quinnipiac University and the New York Times/Siena College paint a tough picture for Mamdani’s opponents. He’s got a 22-point lead over Cuomo and others, a gap that suggests New Yorkers might be ready for a sharp left turn. Whether that’s a rebellion against “bad candidates,” as Trump put it, or genuine support for Mamdani’s vision, remains to be seen.

Trump, for his part, is urging consolidation among Mamdani’s rivals. “I would like to see two people drop out and have it be one on one,” he said last week. It’s a strategic plea, but with numbers this lopsided, even a unified opposition might struggle to close the gap.

In a hypothetical two-candidate race, the New York Times/Siena survey shows Mamdani edging Cuomo 48% to 44%. Even if Adams, currently fourth in polls as an independent, were to bow out, Quinnipiac suggests Mamdani would still lead Cuomo 46% to 30%, with Sliwa trailing at 17%. Those are sobering stats for anyone hoping to derail Mamdani’s momentum.

Opponents Stand Firm Despite Pressure

Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, co-founder of the Guardian Angels and third in recent polls, isn’t budging despite pressure. “I haven’t had any conversations with President Donald Trump, whom I’ve known over the years,” Sliwa told Fox News Digital last month. It’s a polite sidestep, though his resolve to stay in the race shows not everyone’s buying Trump’s consolidation pitch.

Sliwa’s history with Trump adds a layer of intrigue. “We’ve had a love-hate relationship. Everybody knows that,” he admitted in the same interview. That dynamic might explain why Trump isn’t exactly singing Sliwa’s praises, even as a fellow Republican.

Speaking of Trump’s take on Sliwa, the former president didn’t mince words. “Look, I’m a Republican, but Curtis is not exactly primetime,” he quipped on “Fox and Friends.” Ouch—that’s a zinger that stings, though it’s hard to argue with Trump’s blunt assessment given the poll numbers.

Trump’s Strategy Faces Uphill Battle

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent and also fourth in polls, is equally steadfast in staying the course. Reports suggest Trump’s advisors dangled administration roles to both Adams and Sliwa if they’d drop out, but neither has bitten. Loyalty to their campaigns—or perhaps skepticism of the offer—seems to trump any behind-the-scenes deals.

Trump himself sounds resigned to the challenge. “Still way behind. It almost looks like even one candidate wouldn’t work at this point,” he admitted on Fox News. That’s a rare moment of candor, acknowledging the steep hill his preferred strategy faces with Mamdani’s lead so entrenched.

As Election Day in November looms, Trump’s frustration is palpable. “I’m not looking at the polls too carefully, but it would look like he is going to win, and that is a rebellion,” he mused on “Fox and Friends.” Whether it’s a rebellion or simply a shift in voter priorities, one thing’s clear: Mamdani’s opponents have their work cut out for them, and catchy nicknames alone won’t turn the tide.