Zohran Mamdani, the democratic-socialist candidate for mayor of New York City, is under fire after fabricating a story about a family member’s experience of Islamophobia following the September 11 attacks. During a campaign event at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in the Bronx, Mamdani claimed his “aunt” stopped riding the subway after 9/11 because she felt unsafe wearing a hijab.

Investigative reporting challenged the veracity of Mamdani’s story. His only living aunt was found to be based in Tanzania at the time of the attacks and does not wear a hijab. In response, Mamdani revised his explanation, stating he was referring to a distant cousin, whom he called “aunt” in Urdu. Yet no credible public records affirm that this relative lived in the U.S. or experienced the described incident, leading critics to call his clarification “conveniently vague.”

The episode has ignited sharp backlash. Observers accuse Mamdani of exploiting 9/11-era trauma for political gain and of using an emotional anecdote to deflect scrutiny of his past associations and positions. Mamdani has countered by accusing his opponent, Andrew Cuomo, and conservative media of weaponizing Islamophobia against him — seeking to frame the controversy as part of a broader pattern of prejudice toward Muslim Americans.

For Mamdani’s campaign, the fallout threatens to overshadow his platform of equity, affordability, and justice. Already battling allegations of extremism and dishonesty elsewhere, the emergence of this story raises questions about his credibility and judgment. As the election draws closer, veteran political analysts warn that this kind of controversy could erode voters’ trust, especially among moderates and undecided New Yorkers.