Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, has captured national attention as a progressive leader and the first Muslim to hold the office. Despite his popularity and comparisons to Barack Obama, Mamdani is constitutionally barred from ever becoming President of the United States because he was born outside the country and became a citizen through naturalisation. This restriction, rooted in Article II of the Constitution, has also prevented other high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Arnold Schwarzenegger from seeking the presidency.

Even if the law were to change, Mamdani's outspoken socialist views, Muslim faith, and pro-Palestinian activism would present significant challenges in a national campaign. While his platform resonates in New York, it is seen as too radical for much of the country, and his identity and positions would likely face resistance from a broad swath of the American electorate. Ultimately, Mamdani's political ascent is limited not just by the Constitution, but also by the realities of national politics in the United States.