Trump Criticizes Jewish Voters in NYC Mayoral Race

President Donald Trump has taken aim at Jewish voters in New York City for their support of Zoran Mamdani, the democratic socialist candidate for mayor. He claims these voters back politicians who are openly hostile toward Jewish interests.

In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Israel and questioned why some Jewish Democrats continue to back candidates who express anti-Israel views. This has sparked even more contention in an already heated mayoral race.

“Jews who vote for Zoran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Jew hater, are idiots!!!” Trump stated on Truth Social.

New Yorkers are preparing to vote today for their next mayor, with options including Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo (the former Democratic governor), and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani triumphed over Cuomo in this year’s Democratic primary. Meanwhile, conservative and moderate New Yorkers are wary that Mamdani, identified as a far-left Muslim, could represent a new direction for the Democratic Party, especially after their defeat in the 2024 presidential election.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani has faced criticism for anti-Israel remarks. For instance, he did not support a call from New York state lawmakers for Hamas to cease its violent activities amid recent riots. During an interview, he even suggested arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York, referencing a warrant from the International Criminal Court, which the U.S. does not recognize.

Moreover, Mamdani has been criticized for not denouncing the phrase “globalizing the intifada,” used to advocate for global uprising against Israel, often seen as endorsing violence against Israelis and Jews.

Mamdani has highlighted his ambition to become the first Muslim mayor of New York City, but Jewish votes are pivotal, considering New York hosts the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. According to the UJA New York Federation, around 960,000 Jewish adults and children reside in the city’s five boroughs, representing about 11% of the total population of roughly 8.3 million.

A recent survey indicated that Jews make up about 70% of the 1.37 million in the broader metropolitan area, which includes counties like Nassau and Westchester.

In a related tweet, a user noted that just 17 days after the tragic October 7 massacre, Mamdani led a pro-Hamas rally that called for the destruction of Israel.