Mamdani criticized for smiling with anti‑LGBTQ Ugandan official as NYC mayoral contest heats up
Zohran Mamdani has surged to a commanding lead in recent polls—Quinnipiac, NYT/Siena, CBS and Fox show him in the mid‑40s with high voter enthusiasm—driven by voters’ appetite for change and positions on affordability and the Israel‑Palestine conflict, even as major Democratic endorsements remain mixed. His campaign has been hit by controversy after photos resurfaced of him smiling with Ugandan official Rebecca Kadaga, a backer of anti‑LGBTQ legislation, drawing criticism from rivals including Andrew Cuomo while Mamdani’s team says he was unaware of her views.
Polling
Religion/Antisemitism
New York
Israel-Hamas/Gaza
International
Elections
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- Photos resurfaced showing Zohran Mamdani smiling alongside Rebecca Kadaga — Uganda’s former parliamentary speaker and current first deputy prime minister — a prominent anti‑LGBTQ official; Kadaga posted captions praising Mamdani.
- Andrew Cuomo publicly criticized Mamdani for posing with Kadaga, saying 'if he’s smiling, he’s lying,' and Mamdani’s campaign told the New York Post he was 'unaware' of Kadaga’s support for the anti‑LGBTQ legislation.
- The photo controversy has emerged as the NYC mayoral contest intensifies while Mamdani leads multiple polls (Quinnipiac ~45%; NYT/Siena ~46%; Fox and CBS polls showing him in the low‑to‑mid 40s), with particularly high enthusiasm among his supporters and strength among younger and college‑educated voters.
- Party dynamics are strained: Gov. Kathy Hochul formally endorsed Mamdani, but major New York Democrats including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have not publicly endorsed him; Sen. Chris Van Hollen urged Democratic backing, NY State Dem Chair Jay Jacobs refused to endorse, and Vice President Kamala Harris gave a lukewarm on‑air endorsement.
- Mamdani faces multiple broader controversies beyond the Kadaga photo — critics point to past remarks (calls to 'globalize the intifada', support for economic boycotts of Israel), earlier 'defund the police' rhetoric (Mamdani says he’s apologized and spoken with rank‑and‑file officers), resurfaced videos invoking 'seizing the means of production', and reporting about campaign advisers with alleged ties to communist organizations.
- Polling on foreign policy shows Mamdani leading on the Israel‑Palestine issue (NYT/Siena: 43% say he’s best addressed it) and that a plurality of likely NYC voters sympathize more with Palestinians (46% vs. 29% for Israel), results that have alarmed some activists who warn of rising antisemitism.
- The race has national implications: President Trump warned on Truth Social that Mamdani 'won’t be getting any' federal funds if elected, and Mamdani has vowed to 'fight for every single dollar' of federal funding — including suggesting litigation strategies to counter threats to withhold funds.
📚 Contextual Background
- The Trump administration announced the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in climate-related projects in 16 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
- Fourteen of the 16 states affected by the cancellations had Democratic governors, while New Hampshire and Vermont had Republican governors.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (3)
Is Andrew Cuomo toast?
"The piece argues Andrew Cuomo is unlikely to win the NYC mayoral race unless it becomes a two‑person contest, as current polls show him far behind Mamdani in a crowded field but competitive head‑to‑head."
Round-up: Do populists fill representation gaps?
"A perspective piece using the rise of Zohran Mamdani in NYC polls to argue that populists often succeed by filling real representation gaps — acknowledging their corrective role but warning about simplistic solutions and increased polarization."
Great politicians aren’t “authentic”
"The piece critiques the political fixation on 'authenticity' — using recent coverage of Zohran Mamdani and resurfaced remarks as an example — arguing that authenticity tests distract from substantive evaluation of policy, governing ability, and the legitimate evolution of political views."
📰 Sources (16)
Mamdani ripped for photo with anti-LGBTQ Uganda official: 'If he's smiling, he's lying'
New information:
- Photos resurfaced showing Zohran Mamdani smiling alongside Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda’s former parliamentary speaker and current first deputy prime minister.
- Rebecca Kadaga posted captions praising Mamdani (e.g., 'Delighted to meet with Zohran Mamdani, incoming Mayor of New York City' and noting his return after a wedding in Kampala).
- Andrew Cuomo publicly criticized Mamdani for posing with Kadaga and is quoted saying 'if he’s smiling, he’s lying.'
- Mamdani’s campaign (via a spokesperson to the New York Post) said Mamdani was 'unaware' of Kadaga’s support for the anti‑LGBTQ legislation.
‘Absolutely a communist’: Mamdani dodges label, but his record and expert say otherwise
New information:
- Direct quote from Mamdani at a 2021 DSA conference invoking 'the end goal of seizing the means of production.'
- Resurfaced video in which Mamdani called for housing guarantees and suggested abolition of private property framing.
- Reporting that part of Mamdani’s campaign 'brain trust' includes Cea Weaver, described as having ties to communist organizations.
Giuliani allies turn on GOP’s Sliwa, back Cuomo in NYC mayor race
New information:
- Multiple former Rudy Giuliani aides and allies (Joe Lhota, Anthony Carbonetti, former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey) are publicly backing Andrew Cuomo in the NYC mayoral race.
- Direct quotes from Joe Lhota and Anthony Carbonetti explaining their shift and expressing concern that Curtis Sliwa could act as a spoiler to Zohran Mamdani.
- Michael Mukasey authored an op‑ed endorsing Cuomo, framing him as the 'most viable alternative' to Mamdani.
NYC mayoral candidates Mamdani, Cuomo air first ads amid government shutdown drama
New information:
- Both Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo aired their first general‑election television advertisements; Mamdani's ad was aired during ABC's 'The Golden Bachelor.'
- Mamdani's ad copy and messaging: asks viewers 'Will you accept this rose?' and links the campaign messaging to affordability and the federal shutdown, with Mamdani explicitly blaming President Trump for the shutdown.
- Cuomo's initial ad emphasizes experience and criticizes the administration for cutting or freezing federal counterterrorism and infrastructure funding (article cites Hochul's claim of a $187 million DHS cut).
'The View' co-host presses Mamdani on whether he's apologized to officers over anti-police rhetoric
New information:
- Zohran Mamdani was pressed on ABC's The View by co‑host Alyssa Farah Griffin about his past calls to 'defund the police' and whether he had apologized to NYPD officers.
- Mamdani said he has been speaking individually with rank‑and‑file officers and attributed earlier rhetoric to 'growth and understanding.'
- Co‑host Whoopi Goldberg publicly praised Mamdani during the segment for acknowledging personal growth.
Zohran Mamdani vows to fight back against Trump's threat to withhold federal funding for NYC
New information:
- Zohran Mamdani told CNN on Sept. 29 he will 'fight for every single dollar' of federal funding the city currently receives if elected mayor.
- President Trump posted on Truth Social warning that Mamdani 'won’t be getting any' federal funds and calling Mamdani's promises 'FAKE Communist' proposals.
- Mamdani referenced California litigation strategy—citing an attorney general's claim that $1 spent on lawsuits yielded substantial recoveries—as the model for fighting federal funding threats.
Fox News Poll: Unhappy with NYC's direction, voters favor Mamdani for mayor by a wide margin
New information:
- Fox News poll of New York City registered voters: Mamdani 45%, Cuomo 27%, Sliwa 11%, Adams 8%
- Likely-voter topline from the Fox poll: Mamdani 47%, Cuomo 29%, Sliwa 11%, Adams 7%
- Poll details: 62% of NYC voters dissatisfied with city direction; top concerns—crime (25%), cost of living (20%), affordable housing (17%); 70% say raising taxes will cause exodus, while 70% favor taxing residents earning >$1M
Harris on endorsing Mamdani for NYC mayor: "I support the Democrat in the race, sure"
New information:
- Kamala Harris publicly backs Zohran Mamdani on MSNBC, saying, 'I support the Democrat in the race, sure,' and that as the Democratic nominee he should be supported.
- Harris framed her support as part of a broader slate of Democratic 'stars,' name-checking Barbara Drummond (Mobile) and Helena Moreno (New Orleans).
Harris offers timid endorsement of Mamdani, quickly pivots to other 'star' Democrats
New information:
- Kamala Harris offered a lukewarm on-air endorsement of Zohran Mamdani on MSNBC, saying, 'He’s the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported,' and, when pressed, 'I support the Democrat in the race, sure.'
- Harris quickly pivoted to highlight other Democratic mayoral candidates she called 'stars,' naming Barbara Drummond (Mobile, Ala.) and Helena Moreno (New Orleans).
- Context reiterated that major New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have not yet endorsed Mamdani, while Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed him on Sept. 14.
NY state Dem boss refuses to endorse Mamdani, causing huge rift in party
New information:
- Despite strong polling, Mamdani loses the endorsement of NY State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs.
- Quinnipiac polling context is reiterated: Mamdani 45%, Cuomo 23%, Sliwa 15%, Adams 12%.
The key issues driving Zohran Mamdani's lead in New York City mayoral race
New information:
- CBS News reports its own new poll showing Zohran Mamdani at 43% among likely voters.
- Segment features analysis of what issues are driving Mamdani’s lead, with guests Julia Manchester and Tom LoBianco on CBS’s The Takeout.
Poll finds cost of living, call for change drive Mamdani's lead in NYC mayor's race
New information:
- CBS News polling finds NYC voters overwhelmingly view the city as unaffordable and prioritize 'change' over 'experience,' helping drive Mamdani’s lead.
- By roughly 2 to 1, voters want a mayor who would oppose Donald Trump rather than work with him; Mamdani captures two-thirds of those voters.
- Six in ten voters would want the next mayor to oppose having National Guard troops in the city if ordered by Trump.
- Crime perceptions are mixed (many say it’s held steady or decreased); among voters who say crime increased, Cuomo performs more competitively.
- Issue framing splits the electorate: voters preferring tougher sentences back Cuomo or Curtis Sliwa, while those favoring social programs/community outreach overwhelmingly back Mamdani.
- Adams trails in single digits; Cuomo is the top second choice among Adams voters, but reallocating those second choices does not materially narrow Mamdani’s lead.
- Mamdani leads among younger and college-educated voters; the race tightens among older voters and those without college degrees.
Schumer silent as Van Hollen blasts 'spineless' NY Democrats over Mamdani snub
New information:
- U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen urged New York Democrats to endorse Mamdani, calling the lack of endorsements 'spineless politics.'
- Jeffries' spokesperson said he will comment before Nov. 4 and dismissed Van Hollen with 'Chris Van Who?'
- Schumer described a 'good meeting' with Mamdani and said they will 'keep talking.'
Zohran Mamdani lands key endorsement in New York City mayoral race
New information:
- Gov. Kathy Hochul formally endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor on Sunday via a New York Times op-ed and a social media post.
- Hochul said Mamdani would 'stand up to Donald Trump' and focus on affordability and safety, noting they had 'frank conversations' and some disagreements.
- Mamdani thanked Hochul for helping unify the party and cited her work on free school meals and childcare.
- The article notes that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have not yet endorsed Mamdani.
Activists sound alarm on 'deeply troubling' poll showing support for Mamdani's anti-Israel messaging
New information:
- NYT/Siena poll (Sept. 2–6) asked which candidate has best addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Mamdani 43%, Cuomo 16%, Adams 11%, Sliwa 8%.
- Same poll found 46% of likely NYC voters sympathize more with Palestinians vs. 29% with Israel.
- Activist reactions: Human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein and a StopAntisemitism spokesperson call the results 'deeply troubling,' tying them to rising antisemitism and warning a Mamdani victory would be 'disastrous.'
- Contextual reminders of Mamdani’s past positions: refusal to denounce 'globalize the intifada,' support for economic boycotts of Israel, and criticisms over policing policies.
- Mamdani leads on Israel-Palestine messaging among NYC mayoral candidates (43%).
- Plurality of likely voters sympathize more with Palestinians (46%) than Israel (29%).
New polls reveal Mamdani has commanding lead over rivals weeks from Election Day
New information:
- Quinnipiac (Sept. 4–8): Mamdani 45%, Cuomo 23%, Sliwa 15%, Adams 12% among likely NYC voters
- NYT/Siena (Sept. 2–6): Mamdani 46%, Cuomo 24%
- Hypothetical without Adams (Quinnipiac): Mamdani 46%, Cuomo 30%, Sliwa 17%
- Hypothetical two-way (NYT/Siena): Mamdani 48%, Cuomo 44%
- Enthusiasm: 91% of Mamdani backers enthusiastic vs Cuomo 75%, Adams 75%, Sliwa 79%