In his first 100 days in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has governed with a level of star power unusual in city politics, drawing crowds, energizing public services and leveraging celebrity appeal, while facing questions about long-term policy delivery.Crowds of supporters now regularly attend his news conferences, and basic municipal functions – from snow removal to emergency alerts, have been infused with renewed public interest. His administration has already secured some early wins and, at least for now, reached a detente with U.S. President Donald Trump.Though critics remain wary of his past positions on policing and international issues, some early skeptics have begun to soften. Jay Jacobs, chair of the state’s Democratic Party, said, “It’s early, but so far, so good. We may not agree on everything philosophically, but he is getting the job done.”As Mamdani approached the traditional 100-day benchmark, his administration highlighted its focus on everyday governance. At the same time, the 34-year-old mayor has leaned into viral communication strategies to drive civic engagement.During winter storms, his social media appeals helped recruit thousands of snow shovelers. A video promoting the city’s emergency alert system brought more than 50,000 new subscribers in a single week. In another initiative, Mamdani partnered with WNBA star Natasha Cloud to launch a bracket-style competition allowing residents to vote on neighborhood repairs he would personally address. To promote childcare programs, rapper Cardi B was brought in to judge a jingle contest.“The challenge that we set out for ourselves was to work as hard and as fast as New Yorkers do,” Mamdani told reporters on his 99th day in office.However, the mayor’s high-profile style has not been without backlash. His appearance on a late-night television show during a deadly cold snap drew criticism. Former mayoral rival Curtis Sliwa said, “Too much styling and profiling,” pointing to ongoing concerns about homelessness and infrastructure.Still, Sliwa offered a measured comparison with former mayor Eric Adams, saying, “We just had Eric Adams, swagger man who’d party to the break of dawn, and now we have a guy who seems like he’s got a normal working schedule. So having Zohran as the alternative, I think for a lot of people, even if they disagree with him, there’s some stability.”Beyond public engagement, Mamdani has also turned attention to one of the toughest aspects of governance, the city’s budget. In a stark press conference, he warned that closing a major funding gap could require raising taxes on wealthy residents or increasing property taxes, a move widely seen as pressure on New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who opposes a millionaire’s tax.Fiscal experts caution that the path ahead will be difficult. Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, said, “What we’ve seen is him bringing his newer strategies and tools to communications, but in a very practical, old-school problem. When he uses his communications skills to get people more invested and to improve the functioning of government and to help New Yorkers, the trade-offs that have to be made, that is going to be a great win.”Tensions have also surfaced within city leadership. Mamdani publicly criticized a City Council budget proposal and called out Council Speaker Julie Menin, prompting political friction and online backlash from some supporters.Despite these challenges, Mamdani’s popularity remains evident. Large crowds continue to gather at his appearances, including a recent event at Bellevue Hospital where he announced a policy to transfer seriously ill inmates from Rikers Island for medical care.Among those in attendance was Ricardo Granados, a 67-year-old retiree, who expressed strong support: “I’m extremely fond of him. I think he’s going to make a real difference. He wants to find out who needs what, and he wants to help.”At his election celebration months earlier, the enthusiasm was already clear. Medhavie Agnihotri, a 25-year-old attendee, captured the mood, saying, “I feel like I’m at a presidential inauguration. This is the first time in a while I’ve felt this hope.”As Mamdani moves beyond his first 100 days, his administration faces a defining test — whether the energy, visibility and optimism of his early tenure can translate into lasting policy achievements for New York City.