Emma G. Fitzsimmons recently published a piece in The New York Times addressing the “Islamophobic attacks” faced by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani following an interview.
According to Fitzsimmons, Republicans have seized on Mamdani’s statements to suggest he is a terrorist sympathizer. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, was subject to vitriolic criticism after giving an indirect answer to a question about whether Hamas should lay down arms and step aside in Gaza.
During the interview, Martha MacCallum asked Mamdani, who had previously posted “Ban all guns,” if Hamas should give up its weapons. Rather than directly answering, Mamdani responded, “I believe that a future here in New York City is affordable for all.” When pressed further, he added, “I don’t have any opinions on the future of Hamas.”
This response drew sharp rebuke. Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican ally of former President Trump and a likely candidate for governor of New York next year, called Mamdani a “jihadist.” Stefanik, described in the story as “long-known for making incendiary statements,” said on a radio show that Mamdani is “a full-blown jihadist who has called for the genocide of Jews.”
The Times reached out to Stefanik for comment, giving her less than half an hour to respond before publishing the story. Her full statement was:
> “I call Zohran Mamdani a jihadist because he is. Zohran Mamdani is a raging antisemite. Mamdani is the definition of a jihadist as he supports Hamas terrorists which he did as recently as yesterday when he refused to call for Hamas terrorists to put down their arms—the same Hamas terrorist group that slaughtered civilians including New Yorkers on October 7, 2023. He is Kathy Hochul’s endorsed jihadist Communist who she has empowered to destroy New York City. It’s why the New York State Democrat Party Chair refuses to support him. It’s why multiple Democrat Members of Congress refuse to support him. It’s why Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have still not endorsed him. Because Zohran is a jihadist who will destroy New York.”
Some critics assert that Mamdani supports Hamas, citing that he has never disavowed his father’s support for jihad and currently supports Hamas maintaining its weapons to continue its jihad. Further claims accuse Mamdani of being soft on criminals and destabilizing forces in New York City.
Stefanik continued:
> “Mamdani’s a security threat wrapped in progressive slogans. He’s not just soft on Hamas—he’s soft on every criminal, every radical, every destabilizing force eating NYC alive. Adams fights crime; Mamdani coddles it. The DSA’s golden boy isn’t misunderstood—he’s dangerous. New Yorkers deserve leaders who call terrorists terrorists, not rap verses praising their financiers.”
The debate raises the question: Is it Islamophobic to call someone a jihadist if they cannot or will not denounce Hamas?
—
**Editor’s Note:** The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown over healthcare for undocumented immigrants. They own this.
https://twitchy.com/brettt/2025/10/16/rep-elise-stefanik-gives-fiery-comment-to-nyt-hack-about-islamic-attacks-on-zohran-mamdani-n2420468
