Eric Adams Slams NYC Mayoral Rival Zohran Mamdani Over Hamas Sympathies
NYC Mayor Eric Adams ignited a political firestorm by accusing Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani of sympathizing with Hamas and misleading voters with radical policies. Citing rap lyrics and past activism, Adams warned of dangerous extremism cloaked in progressive promises, escalating the city’s most explosive mayoral race in decades.
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New York City’s mayoral race has taken a contentious turn as Mayor Eric Adams accused Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani of sympathizing with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, and promoting unfeasible campaign promises. The clash unfolded during a June 29, 2025, CNN interview, spotlighting Mamdani’s past as a rapper and his progressive agenda, and intensifying a polarizing election.
In the interview, CNN anchor Jake Tapper challenged Adams on his claim that Mamdani’s views should concern Jewish voters. Adams pointed to Mamdani’s time as rapper “Young Cardamom,” citing a 2017 song referencing the Holy Land Five, a group convicted of funneling millions to Hamas. The track, flagged by antisemitism watchdog Canary Mission, also called for dismantling the U.S. border wall and touched on anti-imperialist themes. Adams alleged Mamdani’s interviews, songs, and statements show support for those funding terrorism, encouraging voters to verify the evidence online.
When Tapper said he could not recall Mamdani praising Hamas, Adams insisted multiple videos from Mamdani’s rap career show him endorsing Hamas and other terrorist groups, though he did not specify which videos.
Adams also criticized Mamdani’s campaign pledges, including higher taxes on the wealthy and city-funded programs for housing and economic reform. He argued Mamdani lacks the authority to raise state income taxes, a power unavailable to mayors or Mamdani as a state assemblyman. Drawing on his own upbringing in poverty, Adams warned that Mamdani’s socialist policies would hurt working-class families by offering false hope rather than practical solutions.
Mamdani, a progressive Queens assemblyman, has drawn scrutiny for not disavowing protest slogans like “globalize the intifada” and “from the river to the sea,” which many Jewish leaders view as calls for violence against Israel. In a recent interview, Mamdani said these phrases have varied meanings, declining to condemn them, which sparked bipartisan criticism.
Mamdani’s 2017 lyrics, recorded with hip-hop duo Das Racist, also referenced freeing political prisoners, according to Canary Mission. While he has not directly addressed the Holy Land Five lyrics, Mamdani’s campaign focuses on tenant protections, healthcare, and economic equity, casting him as a staunch progressive. Critics, including Adams, argue his rhetoric risks alienating Jewish voters and deepening divisions.
Beyond the Hamas controversy, Adams criticized Mamdani’s campaign promises, including higher taxes on the wealthy and universal city-funded programs like housing and economic reforms. Adams argued Mamdani lacks the legal authority to enact such policies, noting that as mayor, you can’t raise state income taxes, a power Mamdani also lacked as a state assemblyman. Adams warned that these socialist proposals would harm working-class families, drawing on his own experience growing up in poverty to emphasize the need for real support, not false hope.
Mamdani, a progressive assemblyman from Queens, has also faced scrutiny for refusing to disavow protest slogans like globalize the intifada and from the river to the sea, which many Jewish leaders view as calls for violence against Israel. In a recent interview, Mamdani said these phrases mean "different things to different people", stopping short of condemning them, prompting criticism from across the political spectrum.
While Mamdani has not directly addressed the Holy Land Five lyrics, his campaign emphasizes tenant protections, healthcare access, and economic equity, positioning him as a bold progressive. Critics, including Adams, argue his rhetoric risks alienating Jewish voters and fueling division.
With Mamdani as the Democratic nominee, New York faces one of its most ideologically charged mayoral races in decades. Adams, who may pursue an independent or write-in campaign, framed the election as a fight for the city’s soul, vowing to confront Mamdani’s dangerous ideas.
Sources: Jewish Breaking News, The Daily Wire, Canary Mission