Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and front-runner for New York City‘s mayoral race, is facing harsh criticism after sharing a video that some are calling offensive and inappropriate. The video, which was posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account last year, mocks the Jewish holiday Hanukkah and features men “cosplaying Jews,” according to a Jewish advocacy group.
The video in question, shared by Mamdani during Hanukkah 2023, shows two men dressed in wigs, playing with dreidels, dancing behind a menorah, and celebrating with Punjabi-style music. The video, taken from the Geeta Brothers Duet Group’s comedic project, was titled “Hey Hanukkah” and features content from the 2015 Punjabi Christmas Album Hits.
The pro-Jewish group Stop Antisemitism condemned the video, calling it “sick” and claiming that Mamdani’s post trivialized Jewish traditions for comedic effect. In a post to X, the group wrote, “Zohran Mamdani posts Indian men cosplaying Jews, spinning dreidels and lighting the menorah. Our holidays and traditions are sacred and not for your comedic pleasure. This is sick.”
After seeing the clip, many X users couldn’t believe their eyes. “NYC will be voting for this?????? Have they lost their minds?” someone asked, referring to Mamdani’s role as New York State Representative. “You people are sick!” another said.
The video was originally shared by Mamdani with the caption, “Happy 3rd night of Hanukkah from Astoria and Long Island City,” further amplifying the backlash. Stop Antisemitism’s criticism highlights the sensitivity surrounding cultural appropriation and the impact of mocking religious traditions for humor.
Zohran Mamdani Faces Backlash After Sharing Controversial Christmas Video
This isn’t the first time Mamdani has shared controversial content. On Christmas Eve of 2024, he shared another video from the same comedy group, this time celebrating Christmas. The video for the song “Jingle Bells” featured similar comedic antics with performers in wigs. Mamdani wished his followers a “Merry Christmas from Astoria and Long Island City,” continuing his tradition of sharing humorous videos, which many now feel cross the line.
The videos and Mamdani’s social media activity have stirred strong reactions, particularly within the Jewish community in New York. In addition to the video backlash, Mamdani has faced criticism for his past political stances. Notably, the state assemblyman has been criticized for his refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Moreover, Mamdani’s campaign has also alienated certain groups, including Black New Yorkers. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Mamdani had claimed to be African American on his application to Columbia University. This revelation has led to further scrutiny of his political career and personal identity.
In addition to these controversies, Mamdani’s campaign has also reportedly sent pro-candidate text messages that some Jewish New Yorkers found troubling. The texts referenced the October 7th attack in Israel, claiming personal connections to the tragedy, but it’s unclear who was behind these messages.
Mamdani born in Uganda to Indian parents, has a history of making bold, unconventional statements and taking progressive stances. However, as his mayoral bid heats up, the backlash to his social media activity and past comments has raised questions about his ability to unite diverse communities in New York City. As his campaign continues, Mamdani will have to address these growing concerns, particularly his controversial stances on Israel and cultural appropriation. The backlash against the video, combined with other criticisms, could impact his political future as he seeks to secure support from all corners of the city.
