WATCH: CNN’s Abby Phillip Grills Mamdani on Socialist Grocery Store Plan

CNN’s Abby Phillip Grills Mamdani on Socialist Grocery Store Plan: ‘Government Is Not That Good’ at Running Businesses

Sean James Sep 6th, 2025, 6:40 pm

CNN’s Abby Phillip pressed New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D) on his plan to open several government-run grocery stores, saying critics have correctly pointed out the socialist strategy has failed to work in other major cities.

Mamdani, during an appearance on on Friday, argued there have been “studies” that show the “applicability” of taxpayer-funded grocery stores in major cities like Chicago — and that gives him confidence they would work well in New York. He said he plans to open five government-run stores — one for each borough of the city — if he’s elected mayor in November. Phillip pushed back on Mamdani’