Vickie Paladino, (District 19 of Northeast Queens ) comments on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s speech to the city, what electing him mayor actually means for the city and more on “Rob Schmitt Tonight.”
NYC Council Member Vickie Paladino Says Her “Skin Literally Crawled”
Hearing Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “Collectivism” Speech
The clip presents Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s newly sworn-in mayor who openly identifies as a democratic socialist. The host claims Mamdani is launching an “era of socialism” in the city, then frames his agenda as redistributive—summarizing it as “if you’ve got money, he wants it” to give to others—and warns this approach could become more common in U.S. politics.
The host questions whom Mamdani represents, referencing alleged associations and highlighting a line where Mamdani cites the South African Freedom Charter and says, “New York belongs to all who live in it.” The host then lists purported policy priorities: rent freeze, city-owned grocery stores, taxing the rich, a $30 minimum wage, sanctuary protections for LGBTQ community, and stopping ICE operations.
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino responds harshly to the inauguration and Mamdani’s messaging, saying it felt like being in a “third world country.” She argues his rise was long-planned by the DSA, criticizes Democratic leaders and prominent progressives, and claims the City Council’s progressive bloc could “rubber stamp” much of Mamdani’s agenda. The focal moment is Mamdani’s statement about replacing “rugged individualism” with “the warmth of collectivism,” which Paladino calls Marxist and says made her “skin literally” crawl, concluding she expects political pushback for opposing him and asking viewers to keep an eye on her.
Sources: Big New York news , video: Newsmax ,
