Mamdani’s Political Views Questioned in DW Report – 11/04/2025

Voters in New York City find themselves at a crucial electoral crossroads that exemplifies the nation’s broader political divides as they select the next mayor of America’s largest metropolis. The race features a compelling three-way contest between Democratic nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani, independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa, who is making another bid for the office.

Mamdani’s potential victory would represent a significant milestone in the city’s history. At 34, he would become New York’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest chief executive in decades. His rising national profile has already drawn pointed criticism from President Donald Trump and other Republican figures, making the race a flashpoint in America’s culture wars.

As with many high-profile candidates challenging political norms, Mamdani has become the target of widespread misinformation. Claims about his policy positions have proliferated across social media and traditional media outlets, often distorting his actual stances.

One persistent claim concerns Mamdani’s position on sex work. Current Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and numerous critics have accused him of planning to legalize prostitution, suggesting this would increase sex trafficking in the city. However, this characterization misrepresents Mamdani’s actual position.

In multiple interviews, Mamdani has clarified that he supports decriminalization rather than legalization of sex work – an important distinction. “I have never called for the legalization of prostitution,” he stated on NBC New York. Instead, he advocates for removing criminal penalties for sex workers while maintaining a “zero tolerance for violence against women” and focusing law enforcement resources on combating sex trafficking.

Mamdani argues that criminalizing sex workers makes them less safe and less likely to report violence or exploitation. His position aligns with recommendations from international organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations, which have published guidance suggesting decriminalization can improve safety and health outcomes for sex workers while maintaining tools to combat trafficking.

The American Civil Liberties Union’s 2020 research review supports this approach, finding that criminalization increases violence risks for sex workers while decriminalization improves health access and outcomes. The nuance of this policy position is frequently lost in political attacks.

Another common claim brands Mamdani a “communist,” a label repeatedly applied by President Trump and conservative commentators. This characterization, while politically potent, is demonstrably false.

Mamdani consistently identifies as a “democratic socialist” and has emphasized this distinction in numerous interviews. When responding to Trump’s accusations on NBC News, he suggested the communist label was being used to “distract from what I am fighting for,” which he describes as more equitable wealth distribution within a democratic framework.

Political science experts agree the communist label is inaccurate. Professor Anna Grzymala-Busse of Stanford University told DW that Mamdani’s commitment to democratic processes and elections fundamentally contradicts communist ideology, which centers on single-party control of society and the economy.

“He does not want to nationalize the economy. He wants to preserve democracy. He does not advocate for a single leading party,” Grzymala-Busse explained, noting that the term “communist” continues to be wielded as a political weapon in American discourse due to Cold War-era associations.

Perhaps the most creative misinformation involves claims about a “Zetro Card,” which some social media posts have characterized as a government-controlled debit card that allows authorities to manage citizens’ money and divert funds to activist organizations. This claim is entirely fabricated.

The Zetro Card is actually a simple campaign collectible for volunteers that tracks canvassing efforts and rewards participation with campaign merchandise. It has no financial functions whatsoever. In campaign videos, Mamdani clearly explains that volunteers can earn stamps on the card by participating in canvassing events, with rewards like limited-edition posters for those who complete eight canvassing shifts.

As the New York mayoral race enters its final stage, these examples highlight how misinformation can distort public perception of candidates, particularly those who challenge established political norms. For voters, distinguishing between actual policy positions and manufactured controversies remains essential to making informed electoral decisions.

The race’s outcome could have significant implications beyond New York, potentially signaling broader trends in Democratic Party politics and urban governance across America.