NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Defends Remarks Calling AIPAC Monsters

Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, defended comments made at a progressive campaign rally in Brooklyn where he described the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other super PACs as monsters. Mamdani accused the pro-Israel lobby of using dark money to maintain a status quo of immorality and criticized the organization's financial influence over New York House primaries.

The remarks drew immediate condemnation from Jewish civil rights organizations and lawmakers. Representative Josh Gottheimer and the Anti-Defamation League accused the mayor of laundering antisemitism and employing dangerous tropes. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, called the use of the term monsters outrageous and dangerous, stating the impact extended beyond politics.

At a press conference at City Hall on Monday, Mamdani stood by his statements. He clarified that his use of the word monsters was a reference to Antonio Gramsci and intended to describe all super PACs that fund deceptive advertising, as well as a political system he claims fails working people.