Mamdani is definitely a different kind of mayor

In his first 100 days in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has governed with a star power unusual in politics. Crowds of supporters show up to his news conferences. Basic municipal services have been infused with newfound excitement. Celebrities help him promote his agenda. In the process, he's been able to notch a few notable early wins. And he's reached a detente — at least for now — with President Donald Trump, a mercurial leader with an affinity for celebrities, reported Associated Press. But as Mamdani, a Democrat, marks an early milestone in his mayoralty, it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to leverage his fame into achieving the progressive policy proposals that propelled him to office.

Though he's not without staunch critics, many of whom still view his past criticisms of the police department and Israel as major problems, the mayor has been able to ease concerns among at least some skeptics. "It's early but so far, so good," said Jay Jacobs, chair of the state's Democratic Party, who made waves for not endorsing Mamdani during the election. "We may not agree on everything philosophically, but he is getting the job done."

As the mayor approached his 100th day — long a benchmark for judging an administration's opening vision — his team has moved to highlight the administration's commitment to the everyday responsibilities of the job, Associated Press reported. While much of those duties are typical for his local office — picking up trash, plowing snow and filling potholes — the 34-year-old mayor has leaned on his knack for viral content creation to drive interest and awareness of government programs.

As a storm bore down on the city this winter, Mamdani's calls on social media for more snow shovellers helped recruit thousands of new shovellers. Another social media video announcement from the mayor this winter, this time about the city's emergency alert system, brought more than 50,000 new subscribers to the program in a week, his office said.

Alongside New York Liberty star Natasha Cloud of the WNBA, Mamdani announced a bracket-style competition where people could vote on small repairs they want the mayor to come and personally fix in their neighborhoods. In a few weeks, more than 21,000 votes were cast.

And to hype up his child care program for 2-year-olds, Mamdani recruited Cardi B to help judge a jingle contest that will determine the program's theme song. "The challenge that we set out for ourselves was to work as hard and as fast as New Yorkers do," Mamdani told reporters on his 99th day in office this week. The celebrity status, though, can also prompt backlash. During a bitter cold snap, his surprise appearance on the "Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" was seen by some as insensitive at a moment when the death toll of homeless New Yorkers was rapidly rising.

"Too much styling and profiling," said Curtis Sliwa, a Republican who ran against Mamdani during last year's election, noting longstanding problems with street homelessness, public housing and infrastructure.

Still, Sliwa, who hammered Mamdani during the campaign but recently appeared in a comedy skit with the mayor during the City Hall press corps' annual roast, appeared to give Mamdani some credit, even if it came with a caveat. "We just had Eric Adams, swagger man who'd party to the break of dawn, and now we have a guy who seems like he's got a normal working schedule," said Sliwa, referencing the city's previous mayor. "So having Zohran as the alternative, I think for a lot of people even if they disagree with him, there's some stability."