WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance took aim at New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, questioning his rhetoric and attitude toward the United States.

“When you hear him speak — is this a man who feels gratitude? … My sense is he’s had a very good life in this country. It’d be nice for him to occasionally show a sense of gratitude instead of just attacking the United States for all of its problems,” Vance said.

Mamdani, a progressive Democrat representing Queens, has been a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and domestic inequities, often clashing with conservatives who argue his positions are too adversarial toward American institutions.

Vance’s comments highlight the growing ideological divide between the Biden-era progressive wing of the Democratic Party and the Trump administration, which has emphasized patriotism, nationalism, and loyalty to American values.

The exchange underscores how cultural and political battles remain at the forefront of national debate as the 2028 election cycle approaches, with Mamdani seen as part of a rising generation of left-wing lawmakers.