Trump’s Son Accuses Indian-Origin Mamdani of Bigotry and Threat to Arrest Netanyahu

New York / Washington, D.C. Eric Trump, son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has sharply criticized Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, accusing him of hating the Indian population and plotting to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

What Eric Trump Said

In an interview on Fox News, Eric Trump labeled Mamdani as a “socialist… communist… however you want to label him.” He claimed Mamdani “hates the Jewish people, hates the Indian population” and accused him of wanting to nationalize grocery stores and defund law enforcement. The Indian Express+2www.ndtv.com+2

Eric also highlighted Mamdani’s pledge made earlier to arrest Netanyahu if he ever visited New York, calling it dangerous and emblematic of radical politics. The Times of India+2Lokmat Times+2

He argued that Mamdani should instead prioritize “safe streets, clean streets, reasonable taxes,” suggesting cities can thrive without excessive government intervention. Deccan Chronicle

Mamdani’s Controversial Pledge

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who recently secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, has said more than once that he would honor an ICC (International Criminal Court) arrest warrant against Netanyahu and has pledged to have him arrested at the airport if he sets foot in New York. The Economic Times

Mamdani’s position is grounded in his commitment to international law. He has framed New York as a city that should “stand up” for global justice. Lokmat Times+1

Trump’s Broader Threats & Backlash

This is not the first time the Trump family has clashed with Mamdani. Previously, Donald Trump himself threatened to cut federal funding if Mamdani were elected and warned he would arrest him if he blockaded ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in New York. The Times of Israel+1

Mamdani responded by accusing Trump of using intimidation tactics and abusing presidential power to silence opponents. India Today

Legality Questions

Legal experts have widely questioned how feasible Mamdani’s pledge is. As a mayor, his practical power to arrest a foreign head of state like Netanyahu who would likely have diplomatic protections is limited. The Guardian

Moreover, the United States is not a party to the ICC, which raises constitutional and jurisdictional concerns over whether an ICC warrant could actually be enforced by local law enforcement in New York. Reddit+1

Who Is Zohran Mamdani?

• Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-origin parents. Wikipedia+1
  
• His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a prominent academic; his mother, Mira Nair, is an acclaimed filmmaker. Wikipedia
  
• Known for his progressive, left-wing politics, Mamdani has been vocal on international human rights, Palestinian rights, and wealth equity. The Economic Times
  

Why This Debate Matters

• Identity & Representation: Eric Trump’s accusations of Mamdani “hating Indians” bring identity politics into sharp relief, raising questions about how heritage is weaponized in political discourse.
  
• International Law vs. Local Power: Mamdani’s threat to act on an ICC warrant puts spotlight on the tension between global justice mechanisms and domestic governance.
  
• Political Strategy: For Trump and his allies, criticizing Mamdani on these fronts could mobilize voters who are concerned about radical politics, while Mamdani may use these attacks to galvanize support from progressive and marginalized communities.