Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City is under scrutiny for his associations with Uncivilized Media, a media outlet based in Qatar. This outlet is accused of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories. An interview he gave to Uncivilized Media in 2023 has prompted questions, especially since Mamdani continued following the outlet on social media until July 2026. By July 27, 2026, he had unfollowed the account but collaborative posts from the interview remained visible on his Instagram account.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other experts have criticized Uncivilized Media for promoting content accusing Jews and Israelis of seeking global dominance and controlling the media. Notably, a video released in July 2026 accused Israelis of efforts to “colonize the world,” according to the organization.
“When one appears on any platform, it kind of normalizes the rest of the content that is out there,” said Oren Segal, senior vice president of counter-extremism and intelligence at the ADL.
Segal explained that Mamdani’s appearance on such a platform raises questions about his beliefs and how they align with those of the outlet.
Though Mamdani’s interviews did not focus on these conspiracies, Jewish New Yorkers have expressed concern about the mayor’s views. These views were highlighted during an interview where he referred to the Palestinian issue as central to his identity and discussed his upbringing in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In an interview, Mamdani said, “We say we care about freedom and justice and self-determination and yet, for some reason, we draw a line when it comes to Palestinians.” His statements emphasized his solidarity with Palestinians, framing it as a struggle for freedom.
Additionally, Mamdani identified as a socialist and focused on progressive Muslim values. He argued against a monolithic portrayal of Muslims opposing certain rights.
The resurfacing of these appearances led to further concern among Jewish communities about their relationship with City Hall. Segal suggested that a public denunciation of antisemitic theories would help ease tensions.
“If Mayor Mamdani claims that he is building a better New York, it’s fair to ask him to clarify whether this program he appeared on represents his views,” Segal added.
Criticism of Mamdani was compounded by his recent strong statements about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he labeled a “war criminal” and responsible for “horrific” actions against Palestinians.
Fox News Digital attempted to get comments from Mamdani and Uncivilized Media, but there was no response. This situation continues to be a point of discussion among New Yorkers, particularly around their views on leadership and media responsibility.