Few pundits have pivoted as violently from pseudo-conservative to radical anti-Trump extremist as quickly as The Weekly Standard founder Bill Kristol. After years of denouncing President Trump and praising leftist figures he once criticized, Kristol recently expressed support for socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, bypassing the Republican contender entirely.

During an October interview with The Forum, Kristol dismissed concerns about Mamdani’s progressive agenda, stating, “The idea of going back to Cuomo is just ridiculous… I don’t think he even will do that [establish government-run grocery stores]. It’ll be harmless, you know?” He downplayed the potential impact of Mamdani’s policies, including free public transit and childcare, which are central to the candidate’s platform.

Kristol faced immediate backlash for his remarks, with critics highlighting the risks of endorsing a figure aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). His comments also drew criticism from left-wing outlets like The New Republic, which framed his stance as a critique of Andrew Cuomo’s political influence. Despite acknowledging his lack of enthusiasm for Mamdani, Kristol prioritized his disdain for Cuomo, reflecting a broader shift in his ideological priorities.

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