Sneako Praises Zohran Mamdani, Slams Elon Musk: “Go Back to South Africa”

In a clip from his live stream on Parti titled “Elon Musk Vs Sneako“, internet personality Sneako declared that Zohran Mamdani’s campaign “is the best American political campaign … since Donald Trump’s in 2015–16,” citing both figures’ mastery of online engagement. He called Mamdani’s win “owning the internet. Right now … it’s his.”

Mamdani, 34, a Democrat who just won the mayoral race in New York City to become the first Muslim mayor of the city, ran a campaign built on high-energy grassroots mobilisation and viral social-media presence.

Sneako’s praise came alongside a pointed attack on Elon Musk.

“But Elon Musk, why are you talking about a New York City election? You’re South African. You don’t even live in New York. You have no ties here. Why are you trying to influence the election of a city you have no involvement in?” he said.

“He’s a fellow African… you’re from South Africa and you’re trying to influence this election.” He added

Why the comparison with Trump?

According to Sneako, the common thread between Mamdani and Donald Trump is digital dominance:

“The reason that Trump had the best campaign in 2015–16 is because he owned the internet,” he asserted.

“Whether or not you like him, Mamdani … he owns the internet. It’s his.”

Mamdani’s campaign clearly leaned into digital engagement, viral branding and social-media traction — elements normally associated with outsider or disruptive campaigns. His win is widely seen as historic: he becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor and one of its youngest ever.

Musk and outside influence

Sneako questions Musk’s legitimacy to comment on NYC’s race, given the tech-CEO’s outsized profile and global platform: “Why are you influencing a city you’re not from?” he asked.

The streamer also raised the possibility of bias when he rhetorically asked whether Musk’s criticism of Mamdani might stem from the fact that Mamdani is Muslim and of African origin (born in Uganda to Indian-Ugandan parents).

Musk’s initial dig at Mamdani

Musk weighed in ahead of the mayoral election, publicly questioning Mamdani’s candidacy. For instance:

• On the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk called Mamdani a “charismatic swindler,” warning that if his socialist policy agenda were enacted, it would lead to “a catastrophic decline in living standards.”

• On the micro-blogging platform X, Musk mis-spelled/derided Mamdani’s name as “Mumdumi or whatever,” while endorsing Mamdani’s rival. Many interpreted this as a dismissive gesture aimed at Mamdani’s Indian-Ugandan heritage and progressive background.

• Musk also uploaded a post calling Mamdani the “future of the Democratic Party.” While the phrasing sounds positive, many commentators viewed it as sarcastic given Musk’s prior critique of socialist policies.

Sneako’s dig at Musk: Why it matters?

Given Musk’s remarks, Sneako’s public slam takes on added context. Some key points:

• Sneako accused Musk of interfering in a local NYC election despite having “no ties” to New York and being an outsider. He told Musk to “go back to South Africa,” pointing to Musk’s South African birth as part of the retort.

• Musk’s comments about Mamdani, including the name-mocking and policy attack, provided a trigger for Sneako’s own critique. Sneako positioned himself as defending Mamdani and calling out what he perceives as Musk’s unjust interference and tone.

• While Sneako praises Mamdani’s campaign (e.g., “owning the internet”), the jab at Musk is less about Musk’s profile and more about what Sneako interprets as Musk’s disproportionate and outsider commentary on a city race.

Sneako: A little background

Sneako (real name Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy) has been a controversial internet figure over the past several years. His main YouTube channel was banned in October 2022 for “severe or repeated violations” of the platform’s terms of service.

In March 2024, in a live stream, Sneako revealed that the ban stemmed from alleged misinformation about COVID-19 and the 2020 U.S. elections. By October 2024 he was briefly reinstated on YouTube, only to be banned again within 24 hours.

Most recently, in October 2025 YouTube introduced a pilot “second-chance” program for creators previously banned for COVID or election-misinformation. Under that, Sneako’s channel was reportedly reinstated.

Elon Musk’s Failed Attempts to Step Into Politics

Although Musk has enormous influence, he has never held elected office and has repeatedly stated he does not want to run for president, citing his African birth as a disqualifier under U.S. constitutional requirements.

Musk attempted to shift from business into political-advisory roles, for example his short-lived tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. That initiative failed to deliver on its grand fiscal-cutting promises and ended in his exit.

He heavily backed candidates and causes (via the America PAC and other efforts) but has since announced that he will “do a lot less” political spending, suggesting frustration and retreat from the field.

In June 2025, Musk was involved in a physical clash at the White House with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, an incident that drew public criticism and further damaged his political image.

Musk’s political forays show ambition and muscle, but also mixed results and unclear strategy. That backdrop makes Sneako’s attack more on-point – accusing Musk of commenting on a city election when his own political credentials are thin.

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