Zohran Mamdani wrapped up his first 100 days as New York City’s mayor pretty much how he seems to do everything: out on the streets, among regular folks, with cameras rolling. On April 8, 2026, Mamdani, just 34 and already a well-known democratic socialist, set out on foot from City Hall down in Lower Manhattan, walking close to six miles all the way uptown to Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side. The upbeat montage of his journey was shared on social media, and the video has over 6 million views.
The video is only about 30 seconds long, but you see Mamdani in a dark jacket, weaving his way through the city with a small group that looks like staff and maybe a couple of security guards. But the coolest part isn’t just the walk itself. It’s all the stops he makes. He keeps pausing to talk with people, pose for photos, and snap selfies with anyone who calls out to him.
There’s one moment where he helps one person out how to take a selfie, actually walking him through the steps. The overall feel is deliberately relaxed and street-level, presenting a mayor who moves through the city rather than above it.
Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor and one of the youngest in decades, built his campaign around being open, accessible, and right there with people. On January 1, 2026, at his swearing-in, he told everyone he wasn’t about to lose touch with regular New Yorkers. Now, this daily walk of his feels like he is putting that promise into action.
During his first 100 days, he has tackled potholes, expanded childcare, taken landlords to court over unfair rents, and waged a tough fight with city and state officials over his plan to tax the city’s wealthiest.
Internet Reacts To New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Six-Mile Walk
Reactions to the video split quickly and cleanly along familiar lines. Supporters leaned into the image it projected. “Dude actually seems pretty down-to-earth for a politician,” one person wrote. Another added, “He definitely is relatable — some people can’t even fake to do this even if they tried. I like this for him.”
One comment simply read “Rizz god,” which appeared to resonate widely. Others focused on the contrast between New York and the rest of the country. “It feels like New York is in a different world from the rest of the US, and I’m so jealous,” a user wrote.
Critics, however, were not buying the framing. “If his city were safe, he wouldn’t need those security guys. If his free buses were running, he could just take a nice ride… nice staged video post for some clicks though. His PR team is certainly A+,” one person commented. Another kept it short and pointed: “Looks like he’s afraid to take the subway, too.”
The video is getting attention because it’s actually enjoyable to watch and, at the same time, super easy to pick apart, which sums up Mamdani’s go-to move. Since he took office, every step he takes seems to happen right in front of everyone, sparking that same divided reaction.
