New York City Faces ‘Rude Awakening’ as Democratic Socialist Mayor Pledges Collectivist Overhaul

January 6, 2026 – Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, warned on Tuesday that New York City is headed for a “rude awakening” following the swearing-in of Zohran Mamdani as the city’s new mayor.

Speaking on his show “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Schmitt said Mamdani’s embrace of collectivist ideology is a red flag. “This hasn’t worked anywhere. It’s been tried,” he added.

During his acceptance speech, Mamdani pledged to replace what he called “the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism,” according to the Cato Institute.

Schmitt said that philosophy is why New Yorkers should be concerned: “I think New York is in for a rude awakening. It just doesn’t really work.”