Social‑media posts by Hassaan Chaudhary, a member of Zohran Mamdani’s transition team, contained antisemitic and anti‑Israel language, prompting sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers. Chaudhary apologized, calling the decade‑old posts regrettable, and the campaign said the remarks do not reflect the mayor‑elect. Critics argue the appointment undermines Mamdani’s pledges to fight antisemitism and warn that personnel choices reveal administrative priorities. The transition team has not yet clarified Chaudhary's status.
Antisemitic Posts by Mamdani Transition Aide Spark GOP Backlash
Social‑media posts by Hassaan Chaudhary, a member of Zohran Mamdani’s transition team, contained antisemitic and anti‑Israel language, prompting sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers. Chaudhary apologized, calling the decade‑old posts regrettable, and the campaign said the remarks do not reflect the mayor‑elect. Critics argue the appointment undermines Mamdani’s pledges to fight antisemitism and warn that personnel choices reveal administrative priorities. The transition team has not yet clarified Chaudhary's status.
08:51 PM, 11/19/2025Politics
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing sharp criticism after reports revealed that a member of his transition team posted antisemitic and anti‑Israel material online. The aide, identified as Hassaan Chaudhary, reportedly posted comments calling Israel "barbaric," used the term "Jew" as a slur, and praised former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Apology and staffing dispute
Chaudhary has apologized for the posts, describing them as more than a decade old and saying they do not reflect his current views. He expressed regret for his earlier language. Transition materials had listed him as a political director, but a Mamdani spokesperson clarified that Chaudhary serves as a Muslim outreach director. The campaign has called the comments "reprehensible" and said they do not reflect the mayor‑elect or his transition team.
Political reaction
Republican leaders denounced the hire and used the episode to question Mamdani's commitment to fighting antisemitism. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz said the posts were alarming and argued that "personnel is policy," warning that tolerating such rhetoric in a transition team raises concerns about the incoming administration's priorities.
"Let’s be transparent — this isn’t some innocent staffing mistake. When the incoming mayor surrounds himself with someone who uses language about Jews reminiscent of the 1930s, praises Ahmadinejad, and holds other abhorrent views, that’s not a red flag — that’s a flashing siren," Blumencranz said.
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov also criticized the appointment, saying the episode highlights troubling currents on the hard left and urging Mamdani to recognize that his role has shifted from protester to municipal leader responsible for eight million residents.
Background and pledges
Mamdani has previously attracted scrutiny for his criticism of Israel, a record that dates back to his college years when he founded a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. In the weeks before the election, hundreds of rabbis signed an open letter denouncing his campaign.
Despite those criticisms, Mamdani won the mayoralty and has repeatedly pledged to represent all New Yorkers. On election night he said his administration would "stand steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism," adding that he takes the issue "incredibly seriously."
What’s next
The transition team has not publicly clarified Chaudhary's current employment status. Critics say a prompt and transparent personnel decision is necessary to allay concerns, while supporters and the campaign emphasize the aide's apology and the age of the posts. The controversy places the incoming administration under immediate scrutiny over vetting and how it will respond to problematic statements by staff.