Old clip resurfaces as Mamdani takes heat for claiming Muslim victimhood after 9/11
Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the New York City mayoral race, is under fire after a video from his 2020 campaign for the New York State Assembly resurfaced, in which he discusses his experiences with anti-Muslim discrimination following the September 11 attacks. In the video, Mamdani recounts several incidents that he claims exemplify the discrimination he faced as a Muslim American, including a moment when a teacher warned him and a fellow student about potential bullying on the day of the attacks. He also shares a personal story from when he was 15, detailing an airport security incident where he was questioned about possible ties to a terrorist training camp. These anecdotes, he argues, highlight the “exceptions” to the promise of tolerance that America offers.
The renewed scrutiny comes from various quarters, particularly conservative activists, including Amy Mek, who initially shared the video and has since criticized Mamdani’s narrative as an attempt to exploit 9/11 trauma for political gain. She labeled him a “jihadi-Marxist political asset,” igniting a fierce debate online about the validity of his claims and the implications of using personal trauma in political discourse. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, mocking Mamdani’s assertion that his aunt was a victim of the post-9/11 atmosphere, suggesting that her experience did not equate to the broader suffering caused by the attacks. This controversy has intensified in the backdrop of a fiercely contested election season in New York, where early voting has already begun, and candidates are vying for attention and support amid heated debates.
As Mamdani continues his campaign, he faces the challenge of addressing these criticisms while maintaining his narrative about the impact of discrimination on his life and identity. He has previously stated that his experiences reflect a broader “undercurrent of suspicion” faced by Muslim Americans in the post-9/11 era. This situation raises questions about the intersection of personal experiences with larger societal issues, the role of identity in political campaigns, and how candidates navigate the complexities of their past as they seek to connect with voters. As the election approaches, Mamdani’s ability to address these controversies could significantly influence his standing in a competitive race for the mayoralty of one of the nation’s largest cities.
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New York City mayoral candidate
Zohran Mamdani
is facing criticism over a resurfaced video of him claiming to be the victim of anti-Muslim discrimination in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The video
shows Mamdani
talking with voters during his campaign for New York State Assembly in February of 2020. He describes a number of instances of alleged discrimination against him and argues that there are “exceptions” to tolerance in America.
Mamdani claims his school teacher took him and another student out of class on 9/11 and warned them that they may face bullying because of the attack.
In another instance, he says he was stopped at an airport when he was 15 and returning to the U.S. with his family. He says security interviewed him in a private room and asked if he had been to a
terrorist training camp
.
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“In Uganda, I was Indian. In India, I was Muslim, and then, when we moved to New York, I was all of those things. New York still has something about it that lulls us all into believing that we too can become New Yorkers, no matter where you come from or who you are….” Mamdani says in the video.
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“And yet there would be these multiple moments in my childhood where I was reminded that this promise came with exceptions,” he said.
Conservative activist Amy Mek was first to share the video in 2020, and she brought attention to it once again on Saturday amid Mamdani’s bid for mayor.
“Five years ago, I warned NYC that Zohran Mamdani was not a ‘progressive’ but a jihadi-Marxist political asset weaponizing 9/11 trauma to capture votes,” Mek wrote on X.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment.
The video comes after Mamdani faced similar criticism for claiming his aunt stopped taking the subway in New York City after 9/11.
Mamdani said he and his family endured an “undercurrent of suspicion” in the city.
Vice President JD Vance pushed back on the narrative in a post on X.
“According to Zohran, the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks,” Vance said.
Fox News’ Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
