NYC Mayor's Wife Faces Backlash Over Past Antisemitic Posts

Rama Duwaji Mamdani's attempt to distance herself from controversial social media activity falls short, raising concerns about the mayor's ties to anti-Israel activists.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York City's First Lady Rama Duwaji Mamdani has faced intense scrutiny after her past social media posts defending violence against Israelis and accusing American troops of "mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians" were unearthed. Despite deleting her X and Tumblr accounts, the damage has been done, as her radical anti-Semitic views appear to align with those of her husband, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his associations with anti-Israel activists.

Why it matters

As the wife of the mayor, Rama Duwaji Mamdani's past statements and associations raise serious concerns about the administration's stance on issues affecting the city's large Jewish population. Her defense of violence against Israelis and denial of atrocities committed by Palestinian groups undermine efforts to promote unity and tolerance in New York.

The details

Rama Duwaji Mamdani's old social media posts, dating back to 2015, included defending the 2023 attacks on Israel, trashing American troops, and hailing Palestinian plane hijacker Leila Khaled as a hero. She also "liked" a post accusing The New York Times of propagating a "mass hoax" about Hamas using sexual violence as a weapon of war against Jews. Despite deleting her X and Tumblr accounts, the damage has been done, as her radical views appear to align with those of her husband, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his associations with anti-Israel activists.

  • In 2015, Rama Duwaji Mamdani posted on social media that Tel Aviv "shouldn't exist in the first place" and called its residents "occupiers".
  • In March 2024, Rama "liked" a post accusing The New York Times of propagating a "mass hoax" about Hamas using sexual violence as a weapon of war against Jews.
  • Earlier this month, Mayor Zohran Mamdani proudly posted a photo of the city's first couple hosting anti-Israel protester Khalil Mahmoud at Gracie Mansion.

The players

Rama Duwaji Mamdani

The wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced intense scrutiny over her past social media posts expressing radical anti-Semitic views.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, whose associations with anti-Israel activists have raised concerns about the administration's stance on issues affecting the city's large Jewish population.

Khalil Mahmoud

An anti-Israel protester who was hosted by the mayor and his wife at Gracie Mansion, raising concerns about the administration's ties to those who threaten Jewish students on college campuses.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If Mamdani wants to be mayor for all New Yorkers, and his wife the first lady for all New Yorkers, it will take more than deleting two social-media accounts. It will take an apology, and honesty.”

— Andrea Peyser, Columnist

What’s next

The mayor and his wife will need to address the concerns raised by Rama Duwaji Mamdani's past social media activity and the administration's associations with anti-Israel activists in order to rebuild trust with the city's Jewish community.

The takeaway

The revelations about the First Lady's radical anti-Semitic views and the mayor's ties to those who threaten Jewish students undermine efforts to promote unity and tolerance in New York City, raising serious questions about the administration's priorities and values.