Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is once again at the center of controversy — and this time, critics say, his efforts to portray himself as a misunderstood progressive are collapsing under the weight of his own record.

During Wednesday night’s debate against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, Mamdani indignantly denied accusations that he has ever supported “global jihad.” But a review of his public statements, musical career, and long association with radical figures tells a far more complicated story — one that is increasingly unsettling Democrats and alarming Jewish and moderate voters across the city.

“I have never, not once, spoken in support of global jihad,” Mamdani declared on stage, framing the criticism as a racist attack on his faith. “This is being ascribed to me because I am Muslim.”

But his record suggests otherwise. Mamdani has praised controversial Islamist figures, echoed their rhetoric, and repeatedly refused to condemn violent anti-Israel slogans, even as he insists that his critics are motivated by Islamophobia.

Among those Mamdani has embraced is Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the most controversial clerics in the United States, who once served as a character witness for the “Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdel-Rahman — the man convicted of orchestrating the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Wahhaj has repeatedly described America as a “garbage can” and once called for raising an “army of 10,000 men” to “declare jihad.”

Far from distancing himself, Mamdani spoke at Wahhaj’s Brooklyn mosque last week, calling him “one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders.” Wahhaj, in turn, told his congregation, “Allah has blessed us. We have a very, very good candidate — his name is Zohran Mamdani.”

For Mamdani, who has also cultivated ties with activist Linda Sarsour, the self-proclaimed “unapologetic pro-BDS, one-state solution supporting, resistance supporter,” such alliances appear to be a feature, not a flaw. Both figures have long drawn accusations of antisemitism for their support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and incendiary comments about Israel.

Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terrorist massacre in southern Israel, Mamdani has accused Israel of “genocide” dozens of times on social media — but has repeatedly avoided condemning Hamas. The day after the attack, his statement made no mention of the terror group that murdered and kidnapped civilians, instead blaming “Netanyahu’s declaration of war.”

Even his attempts at clarification have been evasive. Asked on Fox News earlier this month whether Hamas should disarm, Mamdani dodged: “I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety.”

He later backtracked at a mayoral debate, claiming, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”

Before entering politics, Mamdani dabbled in rap — releasing a 2017 song that sent “love” to the Holy Land Five, Hamas financiers convicted in 2008 for funneling millions of dollars to the terrorist organization. He’s also repeatedly tweeted support for the “Globalize the Intifada” slogan — a rallying cry for violence against Jews — and has defended it as a mere call for “struggle.”

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum condemned that defense as “outrageous and especially offensive to survivors,” calling on all leaders to “condemn its use and the abuse of history.”

Republicans have seized on the controversy — but concern is also growing among Democrats.

“Zohran Mamdani is a raging antisemite,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who has branded him “the definition of a jihadist.”

Even Andrew Cuomo, who has tried to position himself as a centrist alternative, joined the chorus of criticism this week. Asked on-air what a Mamdani mayoralty would mean for New York, Cuomo replied grimly, “Any given morning there is a crisis. People’s lives are at stake. God forbid, another 9/11 — can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?”

Mamdani fired back on social media, calling Cuomo’s comments “disgusting” and “racist,” saying, “This is Andrew Cuomo’s final moments in public life, and he’s choosing to spend them attacking the first Muslim to lead this city.”

Despite the uproar, Mamdani remains the clear front-runner in the race, according to RealClearPolling, ahead of Cuomo and Sliwa as early voting begins. But his campaign — buoyed by the Democratic Socialists of America and progressive activists — faces an increasingly skeptical electorate uneasy about his rhetoric and relationships.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)