Conservative scholar and historian Victor Davis Hanson appeared on the Sean Hannity show this week and commented on the political views and goals of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist (communist), who currently appears likely to be the next mayor of New York City.
Hanson suggests that Mamdani’s views and goals are not compatible with the history of the United States.
He points to Mamdani’s comments about ‘seizing the means of production’ and notes that this is a classic trope of Marxism. He also correctly says that this is not something Mamdani said in his youth. He said this recently. This is what he actually believes.
The Daily Caller has details:
Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Victor Davis Hanson said Thursday on Fox News’ “Hannity” that he believes socialist Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani will test how “far he can go” if elected, based on a 2021 statement the nominee made.
Since winning the nomination, Mamdani has faced callouts from Republicans and some Democrats for past remarks expressing anti-police sentiments and for refusing to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Discussing the deepening division between left and right, Fox’s Sean Hannity asked Hanson if reconciliation is possible despite the wide ideological differences.
“Well, they’re incompatible with the history of the United States, the 249 years, and you have to refute them at the polls. Everybody has to get out in November and do something historic and win for the end party, the Republicans. A huge midterm victory, and that will refute it,” Hanson said. “That’s how McGovernism was refuted. That’s how Carterism was, but this is much more extreme.”
One of Mamdani’s recent controversies stems from his use of the phrase “seizing the means of production,” which is tied to socialist and communist ideology. Philosopher Friedrich Engels, co-founder of Marxism, wrote in “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific” that when society seizes the means of production, “production of commodities is done away with, and, simultaneously, the mastery of the product over the producer.”
You have to stay with this video to the end to hear Hanson’s commentary but it’s worth it:
Mamdani says he’s not a communist. So did Fidel Castro after he took power. Of course Fidel was lying. And of course Mamdani’s not in a banana republic. But could both men have the same goal? Sean and Victor Davis Hanson and I talk it out. pic.twitter.com/qBRhY2uTNg
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) October 3, 2025
A Mamdani win will be a disaster for New York City, and it just might happen.