New York — A surge in online anti-Muslim hate has followed the Democratic primary victory of Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and state lawmaker. Civil rights groups are reporting a dramatic increase in Islamophobic slurs and violent threats in the wake of his win.
According to CAIR Action, a division of the Council on American Islamic Relations, there were at least 127 hate-related incidents referencing Mamdani or his campaign in the 24 hours following the primary — a fivefold spike from earlier this month. Additionally, more than 6,200 online posts containing anti-Muslim hostility or slurs were recorded in that period.
Mamdani, 33, who identifies as a democratic socialist, declared victory after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded. If elected in November, he would become New York City’s first Muslim and first Indian American mayor. Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani has become a symbol of progressive politics and diversity in an increasingly polarized environment.
The advocacy group called on leaders across the political spectrum to publicly denounce the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric. “Public officials — especially those whose allies are amplifying these smears — must unequivocally condemn Islamophobia,” said Basim Elkarra, CAIR Action’s executive director.
The hateful content originated mostly on X (formerly Twitter), with CAIR Action stating that about 62% of anti-Muslim posts linked to Mamdani were shared on the platform. Prominent figures aligned with former President Donald Trump, including his son Donald Trump Jr., have contributed to the vitriol. Trump Jr. shared a post suggesting New Yorkers had “voted for 9/11” and claimed the city had “fallen.” Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted an AI-generated image of the Statue of Liberty wearing a burqa.
Though Trump’s team denies any discriminatory intent, his policies — including travel bans on Muslim-majority nations and efforts to deport pro-Palestinian students — have long been criticized by rights organizations as anti-Muslim.
Law enforcement is taking the threats seriously. The NYPD confirmed its hate crime unit is investigating anti-Muslim threats directed at Mamdani.
The backlash reflects broader trends, according to civil rights advocates. Manjusha Kulkarni of Stop AAPI Hate noted that the attacks on Mamdani echo those faced by other South Asian and Muslim public figures such as Kamala Harris, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib.
Republican critics have labeled Mamdani antisemitic due to his vocal support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s military response in Gaza. Mamdani, however, has denounced antisemitism and enjoys the support of Jewish leaders such as NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.
Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict, rights groups have reported simultaneous rises in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the U.S., including incidents involving violence against both Muslim and Jewish communities. Mamdani and his allies insist that criticism of Israeli policy should not be equated with antisemitism.
