By Rania S.

How did Zohran Mamdani go from little-known state lawmaker to MAGA’s public enemy #1?

Since the beginning of the young mayoral candidate’s campaign, he’s faced a wave of attacks not only from challengers in the New York City race but also from national political figures. Even Donald Trump weighed in, calling Mamdani a “communist lunatic.”

Since launching his campaign in late 2024, Mamdani has taken the country by storm, sparking mass online support—and just as much outrage. At first, backlash focused on his self-identification as a democratic socialist. Socialism is an ideology unfamiliar to many Americans, which leaves room for fear. And because Mamdani is vying to run the largest city in the country, that label hasn’t been taken lightly.

But the hate directed at Mamdani is no longer just about his leftist politics—it’s now about his faith.

Conservative online personality Charlie Kirk has been one of Mamdani’s loudest critics. More recently, however, the focus of Kirk’s attacks has shifted. On June 24, Kirk tweeted:

“24 years ago a group of Muslims killed 2,753 people on 9/11. Now a Muslim socialist is on pace to run New York City.”

The xenophobia only escalates from there. Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles even suggested deporting Mamdani—despite the fact that he is a U.S. citizen.

Compare this to Bernie Sanders, also a democratic socialist, who launched his first presidential campaign in 2015. Though Sanders faced widespread backlash, it was never as hateful or personal as the pure venom Mamdani is receiving in a local race.

This shocking animosity reveals something deeper: Islamophobia is back on the rise—and stronger than ever.

When corruption is rampant and conflict ever-present, the Republican Party has once again chosen to weaponize fear of the unknown. Just as they did during Trump’s presidency, they’re using Islamophobia to divide Americans—only now, the target is even more localized.