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Dershowitz Denies Making Extreme Statement About NYC Mayoral Election
Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz has firmly denied claims that he promised to “blow his brains out on live TV” if Zohran Mamdani wins the 2025 New York City mayoral election, calling the viral quote a complete fabrication.
The false claim spread rapidly across social media following Mamdani’s victory in the November 4 mayoral race. A widely shared image on X (formerly Twitter) purported to show a screenshot of what appeared to be a New York Post article with the headline: “Alan Dershowitz says he ‘will blow his brains out on live TV’ if Zohran Mamdani becomes NYC mayor.”
The fabricated article included bylines of legitimate New York Post reporters Carl Campanile and Rich Calder and was dated July 19, 2025.
Dershowitz quickly moved to dispel the rumor. In a November 5 post on X, he wrote: “A fake headline is circulating saying that I promised ‘to blow my brains out on live tv’ if Momdani wins. I will contribute $180 (chai) to Momdani’s reelection campaign if anyone can show I actually said it. I did not.”
The renowned legal scholar, who confirmed his opposition to Mamdani’s policies, added that he prefers to continue his political commentary with his “brains intact.”
An investigation into the origins of the false claim revealed that the image was likely created by manipulating a genuine New York Post article published on the exact date and time shown in the fabricated screenshot. The authentic article, however, featured a completely different headline: “Andrew Cuomo says he ‘will move to Florida’ if Zohran Mamdani becomes NYC mayor.”
Comprehensive searches across the New York Post website, Google News, and Yahoo News failed to produce any credible reports attributing the extreme statement to Dershowitz. The only search result containing the false quote appeared in a comment section where the claim was being discussed.
The spread of this misinformation highlights growing concerns about the manipulation of news content and the creation of fabricated quotes, particularly during politically charged moments. The false claim emerged in the immediate aftermath of the November 4 election, which saw Democratic nominee Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, defeat both former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Media literacy experts note that such fabricated news items often spread quickly because they align with existing political narratives or expectations. In this case, the false quote appeared designed to portray opposition to Mamdani’s progressive policies in an extreme light.
The New York Post reporters whose names were used in the fabricated article have not publicly commented on having their bylines appropriated for the false story.
This incident underscores the importance of verifying information from legitimate news sources, particularly when claims appear sensational or extreme. Social media platforms continue to grapple with the rapid spread of misinformation, especially during election periods when public interest in political content peaks.
Mamdani’s victory represents a significant shift in New York City politics, with his democratic socialist platform garnering enough support to overcome challenges from both moderate Democratic and Republican opponents.
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7 Comments
The alleged Dershowitz quote seems highly implausible. I’m glad he addressed it directly and offered to support his opponent if it’s proven true. Maintaining a civil and fact-based political discourse is crucial, even in the face of strong disagreements.
This is a concerning development, but I appreciate Dershowitz’s swift response to dispel the rumor. We need to be vigilant against the spread of misinformation, regardless of our political affiliations. Fact-checking and responsible journalism are key to upholding the integrity of the political process.
The alleged quote seems too extreme to be credible, even for a heated political debate. I’m glad Dershowitz addressed it directly and offered to contribute to his opponent’s campaign if the claim is proven true. Maintaining civil discourse is important, even with strong disagreements.
This story highlights the need for greater scrutiny of online content, especially when it involves high-profile individuals. While I don’t agree with Dershowitz’s political views, I hope the truth comes out and that he’s not unfairly maligned by false claims.
It’s good that Dershowitz quickly denied making this claim. Spreading misinformation and fabricated quotes can be very damaging, even if intended as a joke or exaggeration. Fact-checking and transparency are crucial in today’s media environment.
This is a troubling situation. I hope Dershowitz was not actually making such an extreme threat, as that would be highly concerning. Politicians and public figures need to be careful with their rhetoric, as their words can have a big impact.
While I don’t share Dershowitz’s political views, I believe it’s important to verify claims before spreading them. Fabricating quotes or headlines, even as a joke, can have serious consequences. I hope this incident leads to greater scrutiny of online content and a renewed commitment to truth and transparency.