Mamdani’s Rise Represents a Rejection of Fear

In the final stretch of New York City’s mayoral race, the attacks against Zohran Mamdani have crossed a line—not just politically, but morally. What began as disagreement over policy has hardened into something older, more familiar and more dangerous: the suggestion that a Muslim cannot be trusted to lead the most diverse city in the United States.

The rhetoric has not been subtle. Former governor Andrew Cuomo recently laughed and agreed when a radio host suggested Mamdani would cheer another 9/11. Mayor Eric Adams warned that New York “cannot afford to become Europe"—language that has long functioned as political shorthand for demographic anxiety. Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa claimed during a televised debate that Mamdani supports “global jihad.” Political action committees have circulated pus