Cuomo Lost — But the Smear Campaign Against Mamdani Is Just Getting Started

Less than a week ago, New Yorkers made history. In one of the most stunning upsets in modern city politics, Zohran Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo — the former governor, AIPAC darling, and machine politician — in a primary that shook the establishment to its core.

This wasn’t just a campaign victory. It was a resounding rejection of fear, corruption, and dark money. Voters stood with courage and justice. They stood with a grassroots, Muslim, democratic socialist who spoke clearly about Palestinian rights, housing justice, and the dangers of corporate-backed politics.

But the establishment isn’t going quietly.

Instead of accepting defeat, AIPAC’s allies — including some of the most powerful names in Democratic and Republican politics — have unleashed a wave of Islamophobic attacks designed to smear, discredit, and destroy Zohran Mamdani.

Let’s be clear: this is one of the most vile smear campaigns we’ve seen in years.

A Coordinated, Islamophobic Backlash

Within days of Mamdani’s victory, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took to the radio to accuse him of supporting “global jihad.” She didn’t stop there — she demanded Mamdani denounce his long-standing support for Palestinian rights. As if standing with a people under occupation is something to apologize for.

Republicans quickly piled on. Congresswoman Nancy Mace compared Mamdani’s win to the 9/11 attacks. Representative Andy Ogles called him “little muhammad” and suggested he should be deported — echoing rhetoric pulled straight from the Trump playbook. Others have even floated the idea of stripping Mamdani of his citizenship.

This isn’t just disgusting. It’s dangerous.

The NYPD is now investigating an onslaught of death threats against Mamdani. Voicemails left for his office have included bomb threats. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported over 6,000 Islamophobic online comments targeting him in just 24 hours.

And yet — many Democratic leaders are silent.

Where Is the Democratic Leadership?

You’d expect top Democrats to rush to defend their party’s nominee — especially one who just survived one of the most high-profile, well-funded primary challenges in years.

Instead, they’re hedging. Or worse, piling on.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — a Brooklyn Democrat — claimed he “doesn’t know much” about Mamdani. Chuck Schumer refused to comment. Congressman Ritchie Torres smeared Mamdani as having “disqualifying rhetoric,” but couldn’t point to a single example.

Top party leaders are withholding endorsements. They’re leaving the door wide open for Andrew Cuomo — a man who resigned in disgrace, ran a race fueled by AIPAC money, and lost — to run again in November.

This is not neutrality. It’s complicity.

Why We're Fighting Back

Track AIPAC was built for moments like this. We exist to expose AIPAC’s corruption, defeat their candidates, and protect the leaders they’re trying to destroy.

What’s happening to Zohran Mamdani is not an isolated attack. It’s part of a broader strategy: discredit and silence unapologetically progressive voices, especially those who speak out for Palestinian rights, reject corporate PAC money, or challenge the status quo.

And the worst part? It’s being enabled by both parties.

We’re not backing down. We’re holding Republicans and Democrats accountable. We’re making it clear: any politician who takes AIPAC money, spreads Islamophobic lies, or attacks progressives will face political consequences.

We’re building a movement — and it’s working.

Help Us Keep Up the Pressure

Today is the end of the month, and we need to hit our fundraising goal by midnight. Every dollar helps us continue this fight — exposing dark money, defending candidates like Zohran, and putting power back in the hands of everyday people.

If you’re outraged, you’re not alone. Stand with us. Fight back. And show them that smear campaigns, no matter how well-funded, will never defeat the power of real people organizing together.