Allegations Surround Mamdani’s Political Views – DW – 11/04/2025

The race for New York’s next mayor has intensified into a contest with national implications, as Democratic nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani faces challenges from independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with Republican Curtis Sliwa in his second attempt at the office.

At 34, Mamdani stands on the cusp of making history as the city’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in decades. His rising national profile has drawn attention from prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, and sparked waves of misinformation about his policies and political stance.

Among the most persistent misconceptions is the claim that Mamdani plans to legalize prostitution in New York City. This narrative has been pushed by numerous critics, including current Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who suggest such policies would increase prostitution and sex trafficking.

The reality is more nuanced. Mamdani has clarified multiple times that he supports decriminalization, not legalization, of sex work—an important distinction. “I have never called for the legalization of prostitution,” he stated in an NBC New York interview, emphasizing instead his focus on combating sex trafficking and eliminating violence against women.

In contrast to legalization, which would involve comprehensive government regulation of the sex work industry, decriminalization would remove criminal penalties for sex work between consenting adults. Mamdani has consistently argued this approach actually increases safety for vulnerable individuals.

His position aligns with guidance from international organizations like the World Health Organization and United Nations, which published a 2023 paper examining different regulatory models. The American Civil Liberties Union has also reviewed empirical research indicating that criminalization increases violence against sex workers, while decriminalization can improve health outcomes.

Another persistent falsehood circulating is that Mamdani identifies as a communist—a claim repeatedly made by Trump and conservative commentators. Political scientists categorically reject this characterization.

“Mamdani is fundamentally committed to the democratic process, to listening to voters and competing in elections as a way of achieving power,” explains Stanford University professor Anna Grzymala-Busse. “He does not want to nationalize the economy. He wants to preserve democracy. He does not advocate for a single leading party.”

Mamdani himself identifies as a “democratic socialist” and has suggested the communist label is being used to distract from his actual policy priorities, such as addressing wealth inequality in New York City.

Grzymala-Busse notes the political weaponization of the term: “Communism is wielded as a weapon because during the Cold War, the Soviet Union was the enemy of the United States, and a whole rhetoric of good Americans vs. godless communists dominated… It’s an easy way to slander anyone who might advocate for redistributive policies.”

A third fabrication concerns the “Zetro Card,” falsely described in social media posts as a government-controlled debit card that allows officials to manage citizens’ money while funneling 10% of profits to non-governmental organizations.

This claim completely misrepresents what is actually a campaign collectible for volunteers. The Zetro Card—named to resemble the MetroCard used in New York City’s transit system—simply allows campaign volunteers to track their canvassing efforts and earn merchandise rewards. It has no financial component whatsoever and is only available at campaign events.

The mayoral contest represents a critical moment for New York City, occurring against a backdrop of national political polarization. As America’s largest city, New York often serves as a bellwether for urban politics and policy nationwide. The winner will face significant challenges, including housing affordability, public safety concerns, and economic recovery in the post-pandemic landscape.

The spread of misinformation around Mamdani’s candidacy reflects broader trends in American political discourse, where social media amplification and partisan messaging can quickly transform nuanced policy positions into simplified or distorted caricatures.