Zohran Mamdani’s claims about his “aunt” avoiding the subway after 9/11 have just been exposed as a glaring misrepresentation. After his comments sparked outrage on social media, he had to clarify that the individual in question is not an aunt at all, but rather a distant cousin who has since passed away.
During a recent press conference, the self-proclaimed socialist mayoral candidate attempted to correct the narrative, stating, “I was speaking about Zehra fuhi, my father’s cousin, who passed away a few years ago.” The implications of his statements raised serious questions about credibility and the unfortunate tactic of leveraging personal anecdotes for political gain.
His tearful retelling of an “aunt” being a victim of post-9/11 Islamophobia drew sharp criticism, including a public rebuke from Vice President JD Vance. The backlash intensified as internet users quickly pointed out that Mamdani’s only living aunt resided in Tanzania during the September 11 attacks and does not typically wear a hijab.
In an attempt to regain control of the narrative, Mamdani deflected criticism by suggesting that questions regarding his family should not overshadow deeper issues like Islamophobia in New York City. However, this defensive strategy only highlights his struggle to articulate a genuine concern for the topics he claims to champion.
It’s clear that this incident exposes the lengths to which some candidates will go to exploit tragedies for political advantage. The real takeaway here is not about family stories but rather the failure to engage meaningfully with critical issues at hand.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow.
