Retired NYPD Chief of Department John Chell on Monday blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "a complete con job," warned that socialism is overtaking the Democratic Party, and predicted voters will quickly sour on the mayor's agenda once his promises fail to materialize.
Chell, who previously announced plans to run for New York mayor in 2029, made the remarks on Newmax TV's "American Agenda."
"What bothers me most, I think he's a complete con job," Chell said of Mamdani. "All he does is run around the city making TikTok videos about things he wants to do."
Chell also criticized what he described as the Democratic Party's shift to the left.
"If the Democrats don't get their ideology straight here, they're going to be thrown out of the tent and socialism is moving in," he said. "The two can't coexist."
Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has championed proposals such as free city buses, government-owned grocery stores, and expanded tenant protection.
His allies scored several victories in congressional primaries last week.
Chell argued those results overstated the breadth of support for the party's leftward movement.
"Only 7% of total Democrats came out to vote," he said. "So, it wasn't a large, sweeping swath of people that said no to the old Democratic Party."
While acknowledging the movement might be gaining momentum, Chell said socialism ultimately cannot succeed.
"Socialism doesn't work anywhere, and it's not going to work here," he said. "Everybody wants their free stuff. They're going to want it fast, and it's not coming."
He argued Mamdani eventually will have to confront the city's fiscal realities.
"He's got a budget [deficit] problem right now," Chell said. "He's $7 billion next year, $10 billion a year after. He's going to have to govern at some point and stop jumping in pools with his suit and doing TikTok videos."
Asked how conservatives can persuade younger voters drawn to socialist ideas, Chell said the message should focus on affordability and personal responsibility.
"You've got to get the message out to the young kids, hey, look, nothing is for free," he said. "You've got to work hard. You've got to be a good citizen. Take part in capitalism, and you'll be fine. Nothing is free in this world. Someone always pays."
Chell predicted New Yorkers will reject socialist policies once they begin affecting daily life.
"When quality of life starts going down, rent is still going to go up," he said. "There aren't going to be free buses. There aren't going to be free grocery stores. ... When that deterioration starts to happen, there'll be a short 'I don't like this anymore.' ... But in the long run, it fails."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com