 "As Zohran Mamdani's socialist agenda wins in NYC, MAGA attacks him for his religion")
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state legislator and apparent winner of the Democratic primary in the New York City mayoral race, is facing a wave of xenophobic attacks from prominent conservative commentators over his Muslim faith.
If elected in November, Mamdani would become the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history. His campaign focused on everyday economic issues including housing, transportation, child care and food prices. Despite attempts to define him by his faith or his progressive politics, Mamdani outperformed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who conceded Tuesday night.
But while some on the right have taken issue with his platform, others have directed hostility at his religion.
Conservative media personality Laura Loomer wrote on social media that “New York City will be destroyed,” claiming Muslims would begin “committing jihad” across the city. “NYC is about to see 9/11 2.0,” she posted.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, posted, “24 years ago a group of Muslims killed 2,753 people on 9/11. Now a Muslim Socialist is on pace to run New York City.” Former President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., echoed the sentiment, writing, “New York City has fallen,” while quoting a post comparing Mamdani’s win to the September 11 attacks. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, shared a photo of Mamdani alongside the caption, “After 9/11 we said ‘Never Forget.’ I think we sadly have forgotten.”
Mamdani’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the statements.
The legislator from Queens, who identifies as a democratic socialist, secured 43.5% of first-choice votes under the city’s ranked-choice voting system. The final result is expected in early July after vote redistribution.
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View AllMamdani has drawn criticism for his positions on Israel and Palestine. He has voiced support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and has called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A super PAC backing Cuomo accused him of enabling antisemitism, a charge Mamdani has denied.
Speaking to The Bulwark in June, Mamdani described the phrase “globalize the intifada” as “a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights.” The comment was met with backlash in a city with large Jewish and Muslim populations.
Still, Mamdani has said repeatedly that antisemitism has no place in New York.
“I’ve said at every opportunity that there is no room for antisemitism in this city, in this country,” he said during a press conference in the final days of the race. He pledged to increase funding to combat hate crimes if elected and emphasized the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.
Mamdani also described facing threats and religiously motivated abuse.
“I get messages that say, ‘The only good Muslim is a dead Muslim.’ I get threats on my life, on the people that I love,” he said. “And I try not to talk about it.”
He said the personal attacks have often overshadowed his efforts to focus the campaign on cost-of-living concerns and citywide unity.
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