Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, ignited a political firestorm after proudly posting photos of himself standing beside Imam Siraj Wahhaj — a controversial Brooklyn cleric once named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman and self-described anti-Zionist who stunned observers by clinching the Democratic nomination earlier this year, shared the photos on his personal X account. In his caption, he described Wahhaj as “one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders” and “a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century.”
Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century. I was also joined by CM @dr_yusefsalaam of Harlem. A beautiful Jummah. pic.twitter.com/4kcN4CGlUk
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 18, 2025
What Mamdani left out was quickly filled in by the New York Post, which noted Wahhaj’s long history of radical and inflammatory rhetoric, including being named by federal prosecutors in the 1993 terror plot that killed six people and injured over 1,000, preaching that homosexuality is a “disease,” and calling for an “army of 10,000 unarmed men” to wage jihad across New York City in the 90s.
Backlash from Across the Political Spectrum
Within hours of the image surfacing, criticism poured in from lawmakers, public figures, and security experts — many warning that Mamdani’s associations pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of New York City.
“I’ve been reliably informed that Democrats are opposed to any kind of political violence,” Vice President Vance posted sarcastically, “so I look forward to them universally condemning Zohran Mamdani for campaigning with an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorist plot that killed 6 New Yorkers.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) echoed the sentiment, writing, “‘I am not a jihadist.’ [poses arm-in-arm with an indisputable jihadist] You are being LIED TO, and let’s be honest — you know you’re being lied to.”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) urged the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to investigate Mamdani’s background, hinting that any undisclosed ties to terror or Marxist movements could raise immigration or citizenship issues.
State and Local Leaders React
In New York, the controversy has intensified an already high-stakes election.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) — widely expected to run for governor in 2026 — blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul for endorsing Mamdani during the Democratic primary. In a scathing statement, Stefanik wrote, “Kathy Hochul has failed to condemn her endorsed Mayoral candidate’s literal embrace and support of terrorists. Her endorsement of jihadist Mamdani, which Hochul only did because of her abysmal approval ratings, is going to destroy New York.”
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, whose district includes large Jewish and immigrant communities, warned, “Jihad is coming to NYC if Zohran Mamdani wins. Mark my words.”
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens) bluntly questioned an immigration system that welcomes hostility to American values, writing, “Why are literally any of these people in the country?”
Connections to Extremism and Radical Rhetoric
Beyond the photo, Mamdani’s past continues to raise eyebrows.
He has refused to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada,” used frequently at pro-Palestine protests. His wife, Rama Duwaji, recently mourned the death of a Palestinian influencer known for spreading Hamas propaganda. His father, Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani, has drawn criticism for defending suicide bombings and authoring a sympathetic biography of dictator Idi Amin.
In the eyes of critics, these connections form a disturbing pattern.
“You can’t call yourself a ‘progressive’ while gleefully taking photos with people who want gays slaughtered en masse and imams who are accomplices to actual terrorist attacks,” wrote writer Zach Sage Fox.
The Stakes for New York City
With just weeks left until Election Day, Mamdani — who would become New York City’s first socialist mayor in decades and the first Muslim — faces intensifying scrutiny.
Many warn that the race has now transcended traditional politics.
“Mamdani could become America’s first pro-terrorist mayor,” warned conservative commentator Mark Levin.
Local public safety account Save the UWS added a grim reminder.
“Mamdani campaigned today with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 WTC bombing… His son was convicted for running a terrorist training camp. This is who’s backing Mamdani.”
No Apology, No Walkback
As of publication, Mamdani has not retracted the photo or issued any apology. His campaign has remained silent on the growing outrage, which some interpret as defiance — and others as political suicide.
With concerns about extremism, public safety, and national security front and center, Mamdani’s photo-op with a man once linked to one of America’s deadliest terror attacks could redefine the final weeks of the campaign.
Whether voters will recalibrate remains to be seen.
READ NEXT: Mamdani Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Possible Foreign Donations
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It will be very interesting to see if the New Yorkers will finish the “suicide” they began 2008 will be completed.
HOW STUPID R U PEOPLE TO EVEN THINK THAT MAMDANI SHOULD BE A CANDIDATE IN OUR COUNTRY. HE IS A SOCIALIST (COMMUNIST) THAT WE DON’T ACKNOWLEDGE IN OUR USA. HES ANOTHER LIAR LIKE OBAMA WAS (OBAMA NEVER WAS BORN IN THE USA- HE WAS BORN IN KENYA- LIED TO BE CONSIDERED A CITIZEN. WTF— WAKE THE F UP. NEW YORK–I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS DECISION TO ELECT THIS COMMUNIST. BY ELECTING HIM U R SHOWING PEOPLE HOW STUPID AND UNEDUCATED U R.
Mamdani should be known as Madmani since he’s a madman, the antithesis of American values. How can New Yorkers betray themselves so?