New York City’s mayoral race took a dramatic turn this week as Zohran Mamdani, the self-described Democratic socialist and current frontrunner in the polls, found himself at the center of a heated political and cultural storm. On October 11, 2025, Mamdani was chased from Manhattan’s Foley Square by a crowd of protesters who accused him of antisemitism and demanded he denounce Hezbollah and Sharia law. The incident, captured in a viral video and widely shared on social media, underscores the deep divisions and high stakes in the city’s political climate as Election Day approaches.
According to FreedomNews.TV and Fox News, the confrontation unfolded as Mamdani was speaking at Foley Square in support of New York Attorney General Letitia James. James, a prominent Democrat, had been indicted earlier that week on mortgage fraud charges related to a property she owns in Virginia. Mamdani’s appearance was intended as a show of solidarity, but it quickly devolved into chaos as protesters surrounded him, shouting and beating drums. Security agents formed a protective barrier around Mamdani, hustling him through the square and into a waiting vehicle, while a man trailed close behind, repeatedly yelling, “Denounce Hezbollah! Denounce Sharia law!”
The footage reveals the intensity of the moment, with protesters calling Mamdani an “antisemite” and refusing to back down. One protester, holding a flag, pressed up against what appeared to be another member of Mamdani’s security detail as the candidate was ushered away. The video, which has since gone viral, highlights just how contentious the race has become—and how Mamdani’s positions on Middle East issues have made him a lightning rod for criticism from both the right and the left.
At the heart of the controversy are Mamdani’s remarks marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. In a statement issued earlier in the week, Mamdani did not mince words about the tragedy and its aftermath. “Two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more. I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage still held and for every family whose lives were torn apart by these atrocities,” Mamdani said, as reported by Fox News and FreedomNews.TV.
But Mamdani also condemned Israel’s subsequent actions in Gaza, citing a death toll exceeding 67,000 and the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. “Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language. I mourn these lives and pray for the families that have been shattered,” his statement continued. These comments have placed Mamdani in the crosshairs of critics who accuse him of excusing terror and normalizing antisemitism.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded forcefully, reposting Mamdani’s statement on X (formerly Twitter) and accusing him of “acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda.” In a sharp rebuke, the Ministry stated, “By repeating Hamas’s lies, he excuses terror and normalizes antisemitism. He stands with Jews only when they are dead. Shameful.” This public condemnation added fuel to the fire, with Mamdani’s press office declining to immediately respond to media requests for comment.
Mamdani’s refusal to fully repudiate Hezbollah or slogans such as “Globalize the Intifada” has also drawn scrutiny. In a June 2025 appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he declined to explicitly denounce these groups and phrases, arguing, “Policing language is not the role of a public official,” while also affirming his opposition to incitement to violence and antisemitism. This nuanced stance has been seized upon by his detractors as evidence of equivocation, while his supporters argue it reflects a principled commitment to free speech and anti-racism.
The controversy around Mamdani has not gone unnoticed by national political figures. Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist and prominent MAGA ally, weighed in on the mayoral race during an appearance on NewsNation’s “Batya!” Bannon urged New Yorkers not to vote for Mamdani, calling him “a threat to New York City” and questioning the sources of his campaign financing. “We have no idea where this money’s coming from,” Bannon remarked, casting aspersions on the transparency of Mamdani’s campaign. He also referenced the protests in New York City on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, claiming there had been “a celebration of hate in the streets of the Big Apple,” with some people holding demonstrations in support of Palestine.
Bannon’s comments didn’t stop at the mayoral race. He floated the idea that former President Donald Trump could remain in the White House after 2028, despite the 22nd Amendment’s prohibition on a third term. “I think that there are many different alternatives that, at the appropriate time, after the midterms, we will roll out,” Bannon said. “I think there are many different alternatives to make sure that President Trump is on the ballot, and if he’s on the ballot, he’ll win.” His remarks, aired on NewsNation and reported by The Hill, reflect the broader national stakes and the polarizing rhetoric that has come to define American politics in recent years.
Mamdani’s campaign has been defined by his outspoken criticism of U.S. foreign policy, his condemnation of Israeli military actions in Gaza, and his identification as a Democratic socialist. These positions have made him both a darling of the progressive left and a target for conservatives and pro-Israel groups. His lead in recent polls suggests that a significant portion of New Yorkers are receptive to his message, even as the backlash grows louder.
Meanwhile, the indictment of Attorney General Letitia James—whom Mamdani was supporting at Foley Square—has added another layer of complexity to the city’s political landscape. James, known for her aggressive investigations of former President Trump and other high-profile figures, now faces her own legal troubles, further intensifying the partisan divide.
The events of October 11 have crystallized the challenges facing Mamdani as he seeks to navigate the treacherous waters of New York City politics. Accusations of antisemitism, calls to denounce extremist groups, and the specter of foreign influence have all become flashpoints in a race that is as much about the city’s identity as it is about policy. The viral video of Mamdani being chased from Foley Square is a vivid reminder of the passions—and the dangers—that accompany public service in an era of social media and political polarization.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, all eyes are on Mamdani, his opponents, and the voters of New York City. The outcome will not only determine the city’s next mayor but will also send a powerful signal about the direction of American urban politics—and the issues that matter most to its citizens.
With tensions running high and the rhetoric growing sharper, New York’s mayoral race has become a microcosm of the nation’s broader struggles over identity, justice, and the meaning of leadership in turbulent times.
