What Zohran Mamdani’s victory reveals about the internet generation

3 months ago

New York City just elected 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani—a TikTok-savvy progressive whose campaign didn’t rely on big donors or traditional ads. Instead, he tapped into digital culture, inspiring fans to create memes, remix videos, and turn online engagement into real-world organizing. His victory isn’t just a local win—it’s proof that the Internet Generation, raised on Reddit threads and viral trends, is now reshaping how political power works.

For decades, influence was controlled by institutions, but Mamdani’s success shows that attention, culture, and community now hold real power. As experts note, digital natives use social platforms not just for communication but as infrastructure for activism, proving that online energy can drive tangible change.

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00:00So New York City just elected a 34-year-old TikTok-savvy candidate, Zoran Mamdani.

00:05On paper, it might look like a local race, but what's really happening here is a bigger story.

00:09A generation that grew up online is now reshaping how power works,

00:13and Mamdani's victory shows exactly how they turned digital energy into real-world political impact.

00:20It seems everyone's talking about Zoran Mamdani,

00:23the progressive political born in Uganda who moved to Queens at the age of seven.

00:27And before politics, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor,

00:32helping low-income homeowners of color fight eviction and stay in their homes.

00:36And this long-term grassroots work carried directly into his recent campaign,

00:40showing a deep connection to community and real-world problems.

00:43But Mamdani didn't play by the old political rules.

00:46Instead, the young politician leaned into digital culture.

00:50As Wired reported, much of the content about Mamdani online hasn't come from his campaign

00:55or the dozens of political influencers invited to cover it.

00:58It's come from fans.

00:59And these weren't just casual supporters posting a few tweets.

01:03They became active participations in his actual campaign,

01:06creating memes, remixing videos, hosting watch parties, and organizing volunteers.

01:12Mamdani paired his digital-first energy with traditional outreach,

01:15including door-to-door canvassing than local TV appearances,

01:19showing a savvy understanding of how to connect across different generations,

01:22while keeping the internet generation engaged.

01:25And with Mamdani's recent win,

01:27it points to how his campaign proves online engagement can translate directly

01:31into votes and real-world organizing.

01:34See, for decades, political influence was dominated by institutions,

01:38party hierarchies, legacy donors, and traditional media push.

01:42But Mamdani's win signals a generational shift.

01:45More people are turning to places like TikTok for their news instead of traditional media.

01:50And a 2025 study in Digital Natives, Digital Activists notes,

01:54social media platforms are not only tools of communication,

01:57but infrastructures for the first generation of authentic digital natives.

02:02And Carl Miller adds,

02:03power in the digital age is increasingly held by those who can command networks,

02:08attention, and culture, rather than just traditional institutional resources.

02:12So taken together, these insights show that for the first generation of digital natives,

02:16attention, culture, and community are as powerful as money and hierarchy,

02:21pointing to how Mamdani's victory wasn't just a local win.

02:24It proves that a digital-first approach can succeed in real elections

02:27and reshape the rules of politics.

02:30But what's your take?

02:31Share your thoughts and follow us everywhere at What's Trending.

What Zohran Mamdani’s victory reveals about the internet generation

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