House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is dodging critical questions about Zohran Mamdani, the self-proclaimed socialist and New York mayoral candidate, who has a dubious past regarding his racial identity. This isn’t just political maneuvering; it’s a blatant refusal to engage with the truth that voters deserve.
Jeffries, the highest-ranking Black elected official in the U.S., shifted focus from an important issue to affordability concerns, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from Mamdani’s controversial self-identification. “The issue that we have to deal with in New York City… is affordability,” he declared, but the real issue is much deeper.
Recent reports reveal that Mamdani, who immigrated from Uganda at the age of 7, claimed to be “Black or African American” and “Asian” on his Columbia University application in 2009. This raises serious questions about his integrity and his commitment to authenticity. Voters in New York City deserve transparency from their prospective leaders—not evasions and deflections.
In a revealing moment, an amateur interviewer captured Mamdani on video definitively stating, “No, I would not” when asked if he considered himself African American. This stark contradiction calls his campaign narrative into question, especially considering he portrays himself as a Muslim of South Asian descent today.
Mamdani attempts to excuse his contradictory racial identifications by claiming that college applications failed to accommodate his full identity. “Most college applications don’t have a box for Indian-Ugandans,” he contended. This reasoning is flimsy at best and does not inspire confidence in his leadership capabilities.
Though Jeffries has refrained from endorsing Mamdani, he congratulated him on his shocking primary victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo—a move that raises eyebrows given their previous disagreements. Jeffries has publicly split from Mamdani over his failure to denounce the inflammatory and dangerous phrase “globalize the intifada.” Jeffries stated clearly, “Globalizing the intifada… is not an acceptable phrasing. He’s going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward.”
As Mamdani prepares for his November election showdown against incumbent Mayor Adams, the challenges confronting him are monumental. He must navigate a complex landscape of identity and ideology while also maintaining credibility. His insistence on avoiding accountability for his rhetoric simply won’t cut it.
Mamdani’s rhetoric about universal human rights rings hollow when juxtaposed with his evasive language on incendiary issues. Voters in New York City deserve a mayor who speaks plainly and stands firmly behind their values. It’s time to cut through the rhetoric and hold Mamdani accountable for his words and actions. New Yorkers must demand a candidate who embodies the principles of honesty and integrity.
