On September 11, 2001, roughly 2,500 Americans lost their lives when two planes hijacked by terrorists struck the twin towers in New York City. Fast forward less than 24 years, and the same city has selected Zohran Mamdani as the Democratic candidate for mayor, a figure seen by some as a “communist,” “Muslim radical,” and “jihadist apologist.”
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, endorses the Palestinian-led movement for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions. He also refrains from condemning the phrase “globalize the intifadas” and has put forth proposals such as rent control, city-owned grocery stores, a $30 minimum wage, and community safety measures aimed at decreasing reliance on the police.
He has expressed his view that it took New York City just 24 years to become “completely crazy.”
Mamdani has faced allegations from various U.S. officials, including federal prosecutors and FBI agents, and has been described by conservative advocacy groups as aligned with Hamas. He reportedly received campaign funding connected to notable incidents linked to terrorism.
Additionally, many faculty members from Columbia University have contributed to his campaign. Notably, this institution has seen numerous protests related to Palestine since 2023, some of which have turned violent.
In a Facebook post from 2024, his campaign’s political director, Julian Garson, referred to aspirations of driving along Mangion Avenue decades down the line. This remark was interpreted as aligning with support for Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with killing a UnitedHealthcare CEO.
“It seems like it’s encouraging violence in the streets,” comments Glenn.
On June 17, Mamdani spoke on the Tim Miller-hosted “Bullwalk Podcast,” suggesting the term “globalization of intifadas” represents a push for equality and advocacy for Palestinian rights. He even posited that “intifada” might mirror the Jewish Warsaw Ghetto uprising against the Nazis, a view described by some as offensive, particularly to survivors.
Glenn points out that if “intifada” refers to the Warsaw uprising, then [globalize the intifada] isn’t simply a benign slogan about human rights. The uprising involved significant violence and urban warfare, which makes it a concerning call for unrest.
Mamdani’s father, a current professor at Columbia University, has asserted that violence is not central to Islam. In his book, he claims terrorism arises not from Islamic culture but as a modern political issue often rooted in the West’s historical interactions.
“I’ve read considerable portions of the Quran and Hadith, and there’s certainly violence in there,” Glenn argues, adding that he often blames figures like Zoran Mamdani for the Palestinian movement being labeled as “Islamophobia,” sometimes in a sarcastic fashion.
“The progressive left— champions of feminism, LGBTQ rights, secularism— are aligning themselves with those who would be hostile to them,” he suggests.
However, this doesn’t seem to faze the left at the moment; they appear more focused on Mamdani’s plan to impose taxes on the wealthy and offer initiatives like “free buses” and “city-operated grocery stores.”
“I remember city-run grocery stores in Moscow. They were remarkable— but, you know, the shelves were often bare. This reflects the principles of communism that have led to, well, 100 million deaths,” he reflects cautiously.
“It’s time to drive evil out of New York City. This matter is one of survival,” he warns.
To delve deeper into New York’s new Democratic mayoral candidate, take a look at the clip above.
