Trump's influence lingers as Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders rally New Yorkers

There was a single interruption at New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani’s campaign event with Sen.

There was a single interruption at New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani’s campaign event with Sen. Bernie Sanders in Brooklyn on Saturday.

Just as the progressive heavyweights prepared to begin the latest event on Sanders’ national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, an older man wearing a shirt bearing the Cuban flag heckled the mayoral candidate.

“You are a communist,” the protester yelled. “This is not Cuba, you fool!”

The message from the protester, who was promptly removed from the event, echoed rhetoric amplified in recent weeks by President Donald Trump, who has inserted himself as a major player in the high-stakes mayoral race.

Noting the success of Mamdani’s campaign, Trump has already framed him as a Democratic foil, teasing high-profile clashes with the 33-year-old progressive should he be elected.