A sharp critique has emerged regarding the voting base of New York City’s Zohran Mamdani, challenging the narrative of him as a champion of the working class.
Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, publicly questioned the motivations behind the strong support Mamdani received from highly educated voters, particularly those from elite institutions.
Karp suggested a core element driving these votes wasn’t solidarity with the working class, but a simmering resentment – a feeling that their expensive educations haven’t translated into practical value.
He bluntly stated that the average Ivy League graduate backing Mamdani may be frustrated to realize someone with a skill like oil drilling possesses a more economically valuable profession.
Data supports this assessment, revealing Mamdani’s victory was largely fueled by a demographic far removed from the working class he ostensibly represents.
Early estimates show he secured 55% of the vote from college-educated citizens, a stark contrast to the 38% he garnered from working-class voters.
This trend highlights a growing disconnect within the Democratic party, which has increasingly relied on highly educated voters while losing ground with the working class.
Polling before the election foreshadowed this outcome, demonstrating a clear divide based on educational attainment – a significant advantage for Mamdani among those with four-year college degrees.
The situation underscores a broader issue: the potential for “luxury beliefs” – ideas that can only be held by those who are economically secure – to influence political choices.
Some observers believe Mamdani’s supporters are on the verge of a harsh lesson in basic economic realities, a consequence of prioritizing ideology over practical skills and tangible results.
