Is the mayor of New York City affiliated with terrorist

1. The allegation that ISIS endorsed Mamdani: what the fact‑checks say

A widely shared graphic purportedly showing an ISIS/Amaq statement endorsing or celebrating events in New York around the election was investigated by multiple outlets; AFP and MEMRI researchers concluded the statement was fake, with terrorism experts calling it “100 percent fake” and MEMRI labelling it a hoax ^[2]. Snopes also reported a claim that the Islamic State had endorsed Mamdani circulated online and treated it as misinformation to be investigated ^[1].

2. Who amplified the “terrorist” narrative about Mamdani

Conservative commentators, far‑right activists and some political opponents repeatedly framed Mamdani as a security threat: posts and public figures including Laura Loomer, Charlie Kirk and others warned of another 9/11 under his leadership, while prominent political figures and media appearances amplified fears about his views ^{[5] [3] [6]}. These attacks were a theme across reporting of the campaign and often tied to his Muslim faith and immigrant background ^{[3] [4]}.

3. Independent context: experts and watchdogs debunk direct links

Terrorism researchers and monitoring organisations told reporters the purported ISIS messages were fabrications; J.M. Berger and Aaron Zelin — cited by AFP — explained ISIS ideology would not align with celebrating a democratic socialist candidate and called the item false ^[2]. Fact‑checking outlets and reporters treated the viral imagery as disinformation rather than evidence of an organizational affiliation ^{[1] [2]}.

4. The larger information landscape: Islamophobia and online labeling

Analyses of social media show a sustained pattern of Islamophobic framing that repeatedly labeled Mamdani as a “terrorist” or “jihadist,” often without evidence, turning his religion and background into a political cudgel ^{[4] [3]}. Civil‑society and research groups documented tens of thousands of posts that pushed extremist labeling and conspiracy narratives during the campaign ^[4].

5. What reputable coverage reports about Mamdani’s positions and responses

Mainstream reporting on Mamdani’s victory and campaign focuses on his policy platform and political endorsements, while also noting he repeatedly condemned antisemitism and said he would serve all New Yorkers — statements reporters quoted in coverage of his win ^{[7] [8]}. Coverage records political backlash from both right and some Democrats who raised alarmist rhetoric during the race ^{[9] [6]}.

6. Where the record is silent or limited

Available sources do not mention any verified operational or organizational ties between Mamdani and terrorist groups; no fact‑check or news outlet cited evidence of such affiliation ^{[1] [2]}. There is also no sourced reporting in the provided materials that proves foreign terrorist organizations formally endorsed him beyond the debunked social‑media fabrications ^{[1] [2]}.

7. Why this matters: motivations, agenda and public impact

The debunked ISIS graphic and the broader “terror” framing served political and ideological aims: to delegitimize a Muslim, progressive candidate and to mobilize fear among voters and donors. Fact‑checkers and terrorism researchers flagged these products as disinformation, while advocacy groups documented the domestic impact of Islamophobic messaging on civic participation ^{[2] [4] [3]}.

8. Bottom line for readers

There is no credible, sourced evidence in current reporting that the mayor is affiliated with terrorist organizations; what circulated were hoaxes and politically motivated smears that fact‑checkers and terrorism experts rejected ^{[2] [1]}. Readers should treat social‑media claims asserting formal terrorist endorsements or affiliations as false unless corroborated by authoritative investigations cited in reputable outlets ^{[2] [1]}.