Zohran Mamdani Rules Out Changing Constitution for Presidential Run

Zohran Mamdani said he won't want the US Constitution to be changed so that he can run for President.

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani is making waves as three House candidates backed by him won election over two incumbents and a third candidate backed by the party establishment. But his ascension in the US politics will not crown him with the biggest opportunity -- a presidential run as he was not born in the US. During a Sunday interview, ABC News’s Jonathan Karl noted that Mamdani will soon meet the Constitution’s age requirement to run for president. But Karl noted Mamdani would still not be eligible to run given his birthplace. When asked if the requirements should change, Mamdani laughed and said, “I think the Constitution looks good the way it is,” during a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” "Just the way it is. I'm very excited to focus on New York City. But thank you for reminding me of my upcoming mortality," Mamdani said as Karl reminded him that he would become 35.

Karl asked Mamdani about his opinion on whether a Democratic socialist can get elected president. "I think a Democratic socialist can get elected anywhere across this country for any position. What I think we need to bring is a focus on working people," Mamdani said. "And that's the direction that the party should go in, in terms of selecting a candidate for 2028?" Karl asked. "I think the direction that the party should go in is how best to fight for working people. I think we need to have a platform and a vision that doesn't sound as if it was cooked up by consultants, but instead one that you would say in response to someone who's asking, why can't I afford my rent, why can't I afford my groceries, why can't I afford my childcare? We need to make clear who we stand for, how we're going to stand for them, and that we're actually willing to fight for them when the going gets tough," Mamdani said.

What are the requirements to run for US president? Why can Zohran Mamdani never contest?

To run for President of the United States, the Constitution sets three formal requirements.

Be a natural-born U.S. citizen (not naturalized later in life).

Be at least 35 years old.

Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. Zohran Mamdani can never run for president, as he was born in Uganda and became a naturalized US citizen