US Influencers Mislead Public by Linking Mamdani to Extremism

Social media misinformation took a concerning turn this week as several right-wing influencers in the United States falsely associated New York’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, with the Islamic State group. This misleading narrative gained traction after a fabricated statement purportedly from the extremist organization circulated widely, reaching millions of viewers across various platforms.

Mamdani, who made history as the first Muslim and South Asian individual elected to lead America’s largest city, won decisively amid intense scrutiny of his policies and religious background. Following his victory, accounts on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, amplified a fake communique titled “Operation Manhattan Project.” This document suggested a planned attack in New York City on Election Day in response to what it described as “American aggression.”

Among those promoting the unfounded claims was conservative influencer Laura Loomer, known for her alignment with far-right ideologies. In a post that attracted over 200,000 views, Loomer suggested that the Muslim community would celebrate Mamdani’s election with an act of violence, stating, “The Muslims can’t think of a better way for the Muslims to celebrate the victory of a Muslim mayoral candidate today than by committing an ISIS attack in NYC.” Other conservative accounts echoed this sentiment, incorrectly asserting that the Islamic State had endorsed Mamdani’s candidacy. Collectively, these posts garnered millions of views.

Research conducted by disinformation watchdog NewsGuard confirmed that the document was fabricated. Meili Criezis, an academic from American University, noted that the statement lacked the characteristics typical of legitimate communications from the Islamic State and particularly from its Amaq News Agency, which is primarily used to report on attacks and claim responsibility. “It doesn’t make threats like what is stated in the screenshot,” Criezis explained.

Additionally, the Information Epidemiology Lab analyzed the circulated document and stated it deviated significantly from the established media practices of the Islamic State in terms of language, style, formatting, and distribution. The false statement appeared to originate on the far-right message board 4chan, notorious for spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation.

In the months leading up to the election, Mamdani, a long-time advocate for Palestinian rights, has openly condemned antisemitism and the Islamophobia he has personally faced since the September 11, 2001 attacks. The 34-year-old state lawmaker focused his campaign on addressing the rising cost of living, a pressing concern for many voters. Despite his efforts, he has been the target of numerous racist tropes and misinformation campaigns.

Fact-checkers from AFP debunked various unfounded claims during the election period, including allegations that a noncitizen voted illegally for Mamdani and that one of his campaign staffers posed next to graffiti featuring a Nazi swastika. With a diverse workforce of 2,400 individuals representing 100 different nationalities, AFP remains committed to providing fast, comprehensive, and verified coverage of the issues impacting society.

Mamdani’s election represents a significant moment in New York City’s history, yet the spread of misinformation highlights ongoing challenges in the political landscape and the need for vigilance against false narratives.