Just hours after progressive lawmaker Zohran Mamdani pulled off a stunning upset to become the new mayor of New York City, former President Donald Trump took to social media with a cryptic and threatening four-word message that instantly set off alarm bells across the political spectrum: “They’ll regret this one.”
The post appeared late Sunday night on Truth Social, just minutes after news networks officially projected Mamdani’s victory. Trump’s remark — brief but loaded — sparked immediate speculation about whether it was a veiled threat, a political warning, or simply another example of his signature rhetoric. Within an hour, the message had been viewed more than 20 million times and reposted thousands of times across multiple platforms.
“They’ll regret this one,” the former president wrote. “New York doesn’t know what it just did.”
The remark follows months of escalating tension between Trump and progressive Democrats, as Mamdani’s rise has become a flashpoint in national politics. The 32-year-old Queens native, a self-described democratic socialist and vocal advocate for housing justice, ran on a platform centered around rent control, police reform, and climate action — a sharp contrast to Trump’s law-and-order, billionaire-friendly vision for America’s biggest city.
Donald Trump reacts to Zohran Mamdani’s historic NYC mayoral win with ominous four-word post: “They’ll regret this one.” @PopBase
Trump’s statement immediately triggered a wave of backlash — and concern. “When a former president says something like that, it’s not harmless,” political analyst Joy Reid said on MSNBC. “It’s a signal. He’s rallying his base around fear of progressivism, around fear of diversity, and specifically, around the idea that someone like Mamdani doesn’t belong.”
Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda to Indian parents and raised in New York, made history as the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor of the city. His campaign was powered by grassroots volunteers, housing activists, and a younger generation of voters disillusioned with corporate-backed politics. His victory speech on the steps of City Hall was emotional and defiant. “This city belongs to all of us,” he said. “Not just the billionaires, not just the donors, but the workers, the immigrants, the dreamers who make New York what it is.”
In sharp contrast, Trump’s response carried an unmistakable tone of menace. Supporters quickly flooded his comments with calls for “investigations” into Mamdani, while far-right influencers began circulating conspiracy theories linking the new mayor to “foreign influence” and “radical Islam.” The false claims gained traction overnight, prompting fact-checks from outlets like Reuters and AP News.
“This isn’t just a dog whistle — it’s a foghorn,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned alongside Mamdani. “Every time a person of color wins in America, Trump and his allies reach for the same racist playbook. We’ve seen this movie before.”
AOC defends Zohran Mamdani after Trump’s “they’ll regret this one” remark, calling it “a clear attempt to incite hate.” @guardian
Political observers note that Trump’s relationship with New York has soured dramatically since leaving office. Once his home turf, the city overwhelmingly rejected him in both 2016 and 2020. His properties there, including Trump Tower, have become frequent targets of protests, while he faces ongoing legal troubles tied to his business empire in Manhattan. Some experts believe his latest outburst is an emotional reaction to losing symbolic control over a city that defined his public image for decades.
“New York is where his mythology began,” historian Tim Naftali explained. “To see a progressive Muslim immigrant now leading that same city is, to him, the ultimate humiliation.”
Still, Mamdani appears unfazed. When asked about Trump’s comment during a press briefing Monday morning, he simply smiled. “I’ve been hearing threats my whole life,” he said. “But the only thing New Yorkers regret is when they underestimate us.” His calm, almost amused tone drew applause from supporters gathered outside City Hall.
Reactions online were sharply divided. “Trump’s just mad a socialist beat his billionaire buddies,” one user wrote on X. Another, echoing Trump’s loyal base, posted, “He’s right. This city’s going to regret it when crime skyrockets.”
Zohran Mamdani on Trump’s threat: “I’ve been hearing threats my whole life. The only regret here will be theirs.” @Reuters
Behind the scenes, sources close to Mamdani’s transition team told CNN that security measures have already been tightened following a spike in online threats. “The rhetoric has consequences,” one aide said. “When someone with Trump’s reach uses words like that, people act on it.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s camp has doubled down, insisting his words were “taken out of context.” A spokesperson told Fox News that the former president was “simply referring to the poor leadership decisions that will destroy New York under socialist rule.” But critics aren’t buying it. “He knows exactly what he’s doing,” said analyst Mehdi Hasan. “Trump has always used vague threats as political theater — but it’s dangerous theater.”
As the debate rages, Mamdani’s victory represents a seismic cultural shift in one of America’s most iconic cities — and Trump’s ominous words only underscore how much that shift rattles the old guard. “This is a generational reckoning,” wrote journalist Jemele Hill. “A Muslim socialist just became mayor of New York City — and the man who once branded his name on its skyline can’t handle it.”
By Monday evening, Trump’s post had been flagged for “incendiary content” on several platforms, though not removed. Yet the damage — or the message — was already delivered. His four words have now become a rallying cry on both sides: a warning for some, a badge of defiance for others.
For now, Mamdani seems determined to ignore the noise. “We’re not afraid of threats,” he said in a follow-up statement shared on Instagram. “We’re too busy building a city that finally works for everyone.”
“New York doesn’t bow to billionaires. It builds for the people.” — Zohran Mamdani @nytimes
And as the city celebrates a new chapter under its most unconventional mayor yet, Trump’s shadow looms as large as ever — four words echoing like a threat from a past New York that’s slowly slipping away.
