Just days before New Yorkers head to the polls for a pivotal mayoral election, a transatlantic political controversy has erupted—one that’s drawing sharp scrutiny from legal experts, campaign rivals, and federal authorities alike. On November 2 and 3, 2025, Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the UK Labour Party ousted over antisemitism scandals, joined the New York City Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to phone-bank for progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani. The move, which Corbyn publicized by donning a “North London 4 Zohran” shirt and urging supporters to “get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all,” has ignited debate over foreign involvement in American elections and exposed deep ideological rifts within the city’s political landscape.
Corbyn’s participation was anything but subtle. He posted on Facebook, “Let’s get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all!” and hosted a phone-banking session with the DSA’s New York chapter, encouraging volunteers to mobilize voters for Mamdani. The DSA’s event page read, “Join NYC-DSA and Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the UK’s Labour Party, as we call New Yorkers to get out the vote for Zohran Mamdani for mayor. We’re just two days from election day, and every conversation pushes us closer to winning a better New York.”
But what might have seemed like a show of international solidarity quickly escalated into a firestorm. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani earlier in the year and now stands as the second favorite in the race, wasted no time pouncing on Corbyn’s involvement. Cuomo wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Having Jeremy Corbyn — someone whose party was found to have committed unlawful acts of discrimination against Jewish people under his leadership — phone-banking for Zohran Mamdani says everything you need to know.” He continued, “NY doesn’t need politics of moral compromise. We need leadership that rejects antisemitism, extremism, and division in every form and in every corner.” According to Fox News Digital and Jewish Breaking News, Cuomo’s remarks echoed concerns among New York’s Jewish leaders, who have repeatedly criticized Mamdani’s vocal advocacy against Israel and the war in Gaza, alleging that his victory could embolden antisemitism in the city.
Corbyn’s own record is a lightning rod for controversy. His leadership of the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 was marred by repeated antisemitism scandals, culminating in a 2020 report from the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that found “unlawful harassment and discrimination” toward Jews under his watch. The findings led to his suspension by current Labour leader and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called it “a day of shame for the Labour Party.” Corbyn was formally expelled from the party in 2024 after he announced his intention to stand for reelection to parliament as an independent, and he has since launched a new movement in Britain called “Your Party,” which claims over 300,000 sign-ups and advocates for wealth redistribution, public ownership, and a hard-line anti-Israel foreign policy.
Corbyn has consistently denied all allegations of antisemitism. In a statement to The Guardian, he said, “One anti-Semite is one too many, but the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media.” Still, the shadow of his leadership continues to loom large, especially when he steps onto the American political stage.
The controversy didn’t stop at political mudslinging. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, a member of the U.S. Department of Justice’s leadership team and a former Republican National Committee attorney, questioned whether Corbyn’s participation amounted to “foreign interference in a U.S. election.” She posted on X, “Did you know that tonight British politician Jeremy Corbyn will be phone banking for Zohran Mamdani? It’s technically legal under FEC rules as long as Corbyn isn’t compensated.” Her remarks prompted the Justice Department to review the event, as reported by Newsweek.
At the heart of the matter is a legal gray area in U.S. election law. While it is illegal for foreign nationals to make contributions or participate in campaign decision-making, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has clarified that unpaid volunteer activities—such as phone banking—are generally permissible, provided there is no compensation or in-kind contribution. Legal expert Stu Smith of the Manhattan Institute explained on X, “It’s a perfect example of how DSA, technically a 501(c)(4), keeps blurring lines with its ongoing collaborations and cross-border ties to foreign parties. Makes you wonder how closely they’re tiptoeing around FARA.” He emphasized that, absent payment or material benefit, Corbyn’s activity would likely not violate federal law.
Still, the episode underscores the sensitivity of campaign activity involving non-U.S. citizens, especially when it intersects with political movements that have international networks. The Department of Justice has not opened a formal investigation, but the review highlights how even symbolic gestures of international solidarity can trigger intense scrutiny under rules designed to keep U.S. elections free of outside influence.
Mamdani, for his part, has not shied away from controversy. The 34-year-old Democrat representing Astoria, Queens, is a longtime pro-Palestinian activist and vocal critic of Israel. Just days before the election, he released a campaign advertisement entirely in Arabic, emphasizing affordable housing, public-transit expansion, and labor rights. In the ad, Mamdani, who is Muslim and recently spoke out against Islamophobia, addressed voters directly: “I know what you’re thinking—I might look like your brother-in-law from Damascus, but my Arabic still needs some work; still, I would love to ask for your support on November 4th.”
Mamdani’s positions on Israel and Gaza have become a central flashpoint in the race, with his critics accusing him of antisemitism and his supporters framing his campaign as a push for social justice and international solidarity. Mamdani has publicly stated, “I support the vision of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state … also a responsibility, to uphold international law.”
As the election neared, the drama intensified. A week before the vote, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, a campaign finance watchdog group, filed two criminal referrals against Mamdani, alleging illegal contributions from foreign donors. The Mamdani campaign has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that any financial issues have been resolved.
Corbyn, meanwhile, remains undeterred by the backlash. He continues to champion cross-border alliances among democratic socialists, describing his work with U.S. activists as part of a broader international movement. “Get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all,” he urged—echoing a message that resonates with his supporters but alarms his critics.
With the Department of Justice’s review ongoing and legal experts weighing in, the episode is likely to influence how campaigns handle foreign participation in future elections. For now, it serves as a vivid reminder of the complexities and passions that define both New York City politics and the global left.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the city finds itself at the crossroads of local and international forces, with every phone call and campaign ad carrying echoes far beyond its five boroughs.
