Peter Orzag, a businessman and former Obama official, argued Thursday that Democrats are at risk of becoming anti-capitalist and anti-Semitic.

Orzag spoke with CNBC after Democrat New York Congressman Zoran Mandani won the Democratic mayoral election. That’s what the mandani was Approval American democratic socialist in New York City.

“I’d take a step back and say I’m sad that Democrats are becoming increasingly anti-Semitic and anti-capitalist,” Orzag said. “And what’s about that… turning away from your moral principles through anti-Semitism, towards socialism, never works. So there’s the fundamental concern I have, and I think a lot of people have in the direction of the Democrats along these two dimensions.”

The host later asked Orzag to clarify what he meant with his concern over allegations of anti-Semitism.

“The Democratic candidate for mayor has embraced the idea of ​​a ‘global intifada’,” the businessman said his concerns go beyond mayoral competition. ” [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] Jewish donors have distributed fundraising emails from senior democratic operatives who said they were only interested in tax cuts. The party’s senior leaders still seem to be cognitive about its attitude towards Israel, and you’re down the list. There’s a problem. ” (Related: Democratic leaders line up to kiss the ring of NYC socialist starlet Zohran Mamdani)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgg1inzkcvw

The interviewer asked Orszag if he was planning to join the Republican Party. “We are hoping Democrats will change courses, and history shows that being neither anti-capitalist nor anti-Semitic is not the path to any kind of good outcome,” he said.

Orzag was uncommitted when asked if Mandani would continue his business in New York City as usual if he was elected mayor. “First, let’s look at what happens in the general election here in New York. Then we have to see if policy changes will occur. I think we’re very committed to New York. The bars are high for us to move, but we have to see how things unfold,” he said.

Mam ticks issued Statement on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, he did not appear to have mentioned the name of the terrorist group. He told MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan in December 2024 that he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he was elected mayor of New York City if he visited. “This is a city where our values ​​are in line with international law. Our actions are also time,” the mayoral candidate said. I said.

Tim Miller of “Bluework” asked the mayoral candidate about phrases such as “globalization of intifadas” and “from river to sea.” Mamdani said she is not used to the “ban certain words” approach.

Orszag is CEO and chairman of Lazard, a global business and asset management company, according to IT. Website. He previously served as director of Obama’s Office of Management and Budget and Director of the Congressional Budget Office.