Inside Zohran Mamdani's speechwriting team and his approach to political oratory

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made prepared speeches a part of his political communication alongside the short videos that drew attention to his campaign, City & State reported November 2. Annie McDonough's report examines the mayor's use of historical references, stories and repeated phrases, drawing on interviews with speechwriters and former campaign staff.

Julian Gerson, now Mamdani's director of speechwriting, joined the campaign as political director in March 2025. Former campaign communications director Andrew Bard Epstein said Gerson took over writing major speeches as the campaign grew. Gerson now leads a team that includes Sarah Gouda, Ruthie Kornblatt-Stier and Rio DeMello.

Epstein described Mamdani as a closely involved editor. The report also cited Gerson's account of their work as a partnership. City Hall did not make Gerson available for an interview.

The speeches discussed include Mamdani's reflections on growing up Muslim in New York, his inaugural address and his address at the Knicks' championship parade. Several current and former political speechwriters praised his language and storytelling. Others questioned how much long speeches reach audiences with short attention spans, or said his performance would ultimately be judged against his record in office. Poet and former political speechwriter Camonghne Felix praised his speaking while criticizing his approach to policing.