Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist and current frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, is no stranger to bold rhetoric. But now, just weeks before voters head to the polls, he’s finding himself on the defensive — not over policy, but over potentially illegal foreign money flowing into his campaign.
According to a bombshell investigation by the New York Post and confirmed by the NYC Campaign Finance Board, Mamdani’s campaign accepted nearly $13,000 in questionable donations from individuals with foreign addresses — a blatant violation of city, state, and federal laws that prohibit non-citizens and non-permanent residents from contributing to U.S. political campaigns.
Among the contributors? His own mother-in-law in Dubai, who donated $500. Others include a German software engineer, a Canadian doctor, and an Australian environmental scientist. In total, 170 contributions were flagged — and while Mamdani’s campaign claimed it would refund them, records show at least $7,190 remains unreturned.
That’s not just sloppy. That’s a flashing red ethics siren.
And critics are taking notice.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa wasted no time: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” he said. “There is probably a lot more in terms of foreign money.” He’s not alone in that suspicion. Questions are swirling not only around the direct donations, but whether Mamdani’s $4 million campaign war chest — supercharged by $12.7 million in public matching funds — is being propped up by networks far beyond the five boroughs.
Then there’s the housing hypocrisy. Former governor and current independent candidate Andrew Cuomo already lobbed a grenade at Mamdani earlier this year, accusing the socialist candidate of gaming the rent-stabilized housing system. Cuomo claims Mamdani — whose family wealth is well documented — is living in an apartment meant for low-income New Yorkers, while collecting massive public funds and running a multi-million-dollar campaign.
“You are a rich person stealing affordable housing from the poor,” Cuomo charged, even proposing “Zohran’s Law” to bar such exploitation.
The image now forming is one of double standards and elite insulation. A candidate who rails against “the 1%” while allegedly hoarding subsidized housing. A self-described man of the people whose campaign allegedly violates the very laws meant to keep foreign influence out of our democracy.
And yet, Mamdani continues to lead the polls, buoyed by progressive voters who see him as the city’s next ideological standard-bearer. But that may be changing. With campaign finance violations under audit, ethics complaints mounting, and high-profile rivals closing in, Mamdani is no longer just running for mayor — he’s running from controversy.
The NYC Campaign Finance Board says all campaigns are under audit. But in Mamdani’s case, the audit isn’t the problem — it’s the alarm bell.
