Tim Graham: Zohran Mamdani has the left giddy
In a surprising turn of events, Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified “democratic socialist,” has been elected as the mayor of New York City, prompting a wave of media enthusiasm reminiscent of the early days of Barack Obama’s presidency. The mainstream media, often criticized for its biases, has rallied around Mamdani, portraying him as a transformative figure for the city. However, this fervent support has not come without its detractors. The New York Post, a right-leaning tabloid, cheekily dubbed New York “The Red Apple” in a headline that reflects the polarized political landscape, while also highlighting the skepticism surrounding Mamdani’s socialist rhetoric. This juxtaposition of media narratives underscores the deep divides that characterize contemporary political discourse.
The coverage of Mamdani’s victory has sparked discussions about the role of media in shaping public perception, particularly in the context of political ideologies. Michael Grynbaum, a media reporter for The New York Times, raised concerns about the Islamophobic attacks directed at Mamdani from certain right-wing outlets, including incendiary remarks from figures like Steve Bannon. Grynbaum’s commentary also invites scrutiny of the left-leaning media’s own biases, especially in light of past comparisons made between Donald Trump and historical dictators. Critics argue that while the right may exaggerate Mamdani’s socialist leanings, the left has not sufficiently addressed the implications of his statements, particularly those related to contentious issues like Israel and police brutality. For instance, Mamdani has openly endorsed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and made provocative comments linking the actions of the NYPD to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
As Mamdani settles into his new role, the political landscape remains charged with debate over his past statements and affiliations. His praise for controversial figures, such as Imam Siraj Wahhaj, has raised eyebrows and added to the scrutiny he faces from both sides of the political spectrum. The implications of Mamdani’s policies and rhetoric will likely continue to fuel discussions about the direction of New York City under his leadership. With the media landscape reflecting these tensions, the question remains whether Mamdani can navigate the complexities of his political identity while addressing the diverse needs of a city that is as vibrant as it is divided. As his administration unfolds, the scrutiny from both supporters and opponents promises to shape the narrative surrounding his tenure as mayor.
Zohran Mamdani surged to an easy victory as the “democratic socialist” mayor of New York City, complete with media enthusiasm that carried echoes of silly Obama love songs. The badly named “mainstream media” earnestly promoted the most extreme candidate.
After Mamdani won, New York Times media reporter Michael Grynbaum warned about the opposition of reprehensible right-wing media outlets. The New York Post puckishly called New York “The Red Apple,” with the subhead “On your Marx, get set, Zo! Socialist Mamdani wins race for mayor.”
Grynbaum summarized: “As is often the case in these matters, the screaming front page of The New York Post, the city’s mischievous tabloid that like Fox News is controlled by Rupert Murdoch, summed up the conservative id.”
It’s the “conservative id,” is it? Would Grynbaum be able to locate a “leftist id” at his own newspaper? For example, on the front page of the Times on Jan. 10, 2021, they compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. These slanderous citations are repetitively spewed in the leftist press.
Grynbaum added this warning: “Some of the harsher right-wing attacks on Mr. Mamdani have been marked by Islamophobia. Steve Bannon, the right-wing podcaster and provocateur, has called Mr. Mamdani a ‘neo-Marxist jihadist.’”
At the end of his article, he noted Small Business Administration leader Kelly Loeffler referred to Mamdani “talking about seizing the means of production.” At a February 2021 meeting of the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani proclaimed: “But then there are also other issues that we firmly believe in, whether it’s BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel), right, or whether it’s the end goal of seizing the means of production.”
The Left energetically claims it means nothing. When Trump called Mamdani a commie in June, PolitiFact typically went expert-shopping to move the goalposts: “Multiple political scientists and communism experts told us Mamdani’s mayoral race positions did not amount to communism.” They doubled down on this in July. Their funniest expert was Geoffrey Kurtz: “I had the impression that Mamdani intended that phrase as lighthearted hyperbole.”
What about jihad? At a December 2023 DSA meeting, Mamdani talked up the loathing of Israel: “For anyone to care about these issues, we have to make them hyper-local,” he said. “We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” PolitiFact won’t be evaluating that metaphor. They haven’t “fact-checked” a single Mamdani statement.
In October, he praised Imam Siraj Wahhaj — an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing — as a “pillar of the Bed-Stuy community.”
The leftist media that dismiss the “conservative id” aren’t coming to grips with Mamdani’s actual public record.
Tim Graham is director of media analysis at the Media Research Center and executive editor of the blog NewsBusters.org.
