New York City's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has quickly become a central figure of criticism in conservative media, even before officially taking office. Outlets and commentators have labeled him with a range of derogatory terms and depicted him as a symbol of left-wing extremism, often conflating his socialist views with communism and questioning his background. High-profile conservative voices and publications have made Mamdani a frequent target, using his image and rhetoric to energize their audiences and potentially influence upcoming elections. The intense scrutiny reflects broader political strategies and anxieties about shifting demographics and ideologies in American cities, as well as the tendency to define entire parties by their most controversial figures.