New York City just witnessed a historic week – a political upset, a not-so-sweet farewell for Andrew Cuomo, and a heated debate over Pride in the age of corporate caution.

Zoran Mamdani: From 1% to NYC’s Next Mayor?

In a stunning upset, Zoran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo to win the Democratic mayoral primary.

Mamdani – the son of South Asian immigrants, a Muslim, and barely in his 30s – is now on track to become the youngest mayor of New York in over a century.

Cuomo thanked supporters, conceded New York City's Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani

Back in February, he was polling at just 1%, going up against the establishment powerhouse Cuomo, who had raised more than $36 million from billionaires and super PACs. Mamdani, meanwhile, relied mostly on volunteers and a relentlessly positive campaign built around a simple but powerful message:

Freeze the rent

Free childcare

Free buses for everyone

The message struck a chord with young voters and minority communities, sparking an energy rarely seen in city politics.

“We have done what once seemed impossible. As Nelson Mandela said: ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’” Mamdani declared in his victory speech.

Cuomo’s Bitter Goodbye – “Good Riddance”

This wasn’t just a defeat for Cuomo – it was a political humiliation.

Though he conceded gracefully on camera, calling it “Mamdani’s night,” his words quickly backfired when he clumsily remarked that his campaign had “touched young people” – a phrase that instantly reignited memories of his scandals.

Mamdani Wins With Relentless Positivity | Lander To Cuomo: "Good F***ing Riddance" | Corporate Pride

New York Comptroller Brad Lander wasted no time in burying him with one final blow:

“Andrew Cuomo is the past. He is not the present or the future of New York City. Good f*ing riddance.**”

The crowd erupted.

The Political Meaning: The Left Is Rising

Mamdani’s win is being seen as a seismic moment for the Democratic Party’s future. Senator Bernie Sanders praised him:

“You cannot run a grassroots campaign unless you truly have something to say. Mamdani proved that. Whether the current Democratic leadership is ready to learn that lesson, I don’t know. Probably not.”

With Mamdani now set to face Mayor Eric Adams in November, the stage is set for a clash of visions: the progressive newcomer vs. the “anti-rat crusader” mayor.

Corporate Pride: From Rainbow Capitalism to Coward-Core

Meanwhile, it’s Pride Week in New York – marking the 55th anniversary of the first Pride March in 1970. Pride has always been both a celebration and a protest, but in recent years it’s also become big business.

McDonald’s once had rainbow floats, Burger King launched the infamous “Pride Whopper” with two identical buns, and Marvel cashed in with rainbow-branded merchandise.

Cuomo, Mamdani spar over billionaires and Trump in first NYC mayoral debate

But this year, things look different. Since Donald Trump and the far right began openly attacking the LGBTQ community, corporate sponsors are pulling back. One executive admitted: “We never know when we’ll be targeted.”

The result? A new wave of “Pride-shy” products. Target is selling an oatmeal-colored hoodie with nothing rainbow on it except drawstrings reading “Out Loud and Proud.” Another item: a plain tank top with a tiny rainbow tucked on the chest.

Critics are calling it “coward-core” fashion – Pride for brands that want LGBTQ money without the political backlash.

A Boiling Week in New York

From Mamdani’s shock victory and Cuomo’s bitter exit to Pride’s corporatized retreat, New York this week reflected the country’s deepest divides:

Politics: Young progressives are openly challenging the old guard.

Culture: Pride remains a celebration, but also a battlefield over money and meaning.

Society: New York, once again, is America’s mirror – messy, loud, and always ahead of the curve.

The big question now: Can Mamdani turn positivity into real power – and will Pride ever escape the grip of corporations?