Mamdani Spends Final Campaign Days Decrying ‘Cheap Jokes’ and Islamophobia

If elected, Mamdani stands to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani gives an emotional speech regarding Islamaphobia outside of a New York City mosque. Anthony Behar/Sipa USA via AP

New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani spent the weekend condemning “racist” and “baseless” attacks centered on his Muslim faith from his opponents and leaders of the Republican Party.

The back-and-forth has taken up much of the race’s oxygen in its final days. Early voting began Saturday, and Election Day is just over a week away.

“This is all the Republican Party has to offer,” Mamdani said in an interview with MSNBC Saturday night, responding to comments from Vice President JD Vance. “Cheap jokes about Islamophobia so as to not have to recognize what people are living through, attempts to pit peoples’ humanity against each other.”