At Witt's End: The 'S-Word' Can Now Be Said Out Loud

For weeks prior to the November elections, MAGA, led by Donald Trump, launched a hysterical (in both senses of the word) campaign against declared Democratic Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. He was, in Trump’s words, “Commie Mamdani.” He was also decried as a member of ISIS, a lifelong jihadist and a terrorist who, when elected, would immediately institute Sharia Law—even on Staten Island. There were even posts warning New Yorkers that their schools would be required to teach Arabic numerals. MAGA pundits gloated over the prospect that Democrats would lose regardless of the outcome. If Mamdani were to lose, Trump would be able to blunt the effect of the 2025 elections across the country and, if Mamdani won, the Democrats would lose any chance of a blue wave in 2026