Fact Check: "Cuomo mailers to New York voters make his progressive opponent Zohran Mamdani’s skin darker."
What We Know
The claim revolves around a campaign mailer associated with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that allegedly altered an image of his opponent, Zohran Mamdani. According to a report by the New York Times, the mailer was created by a super PAC supporting Cuomo's campaign and featured a digitally manipulated photo of Mamdani, where his beard appeared darker and thicker. This mailer was reportedly never sent out, as it was rejected upon review by the PAC. Liz Benjamin, a spokeswoman for the PAC, stated that they were disturbed by the unauthorized posting of the mailer online.
Mamdani himself condemned the image alteration as Islamophobic, asserting that it played into racist stereotypes to portray him as threatening. He stated, “Thickening and darkening my beard — playing into racist tropes — was meant to make me look threatening” (New York Times). This incident has drawn parallels to past campaign controversies where images of candidates have been altered to manipulate public perception, such as the 2008 presidential race involving Barack Obama (New York Times).
Analysis
The evidence indicates that the claim about the mailer altering Mamdani's image is grounded in fact. The mailer was indeed created and featured an altered image of Mamdani, which was later rejected for production. The involvement of a super PAC adds a layer of complexity, as these organizations often operate with less transparency than official campaign committees.
The credibility of the sources reporting this incident is high. The New York Times is a reputable news organization known for its rigorous journalistic standards. The statements from both Mamdani and the PAC's spokeswoman provide a direct account of the events, although the PAC's response could be seen as an attempt to distance itself from the controversy.
Additionally, the claims of Islamophobia and manipulation of racial imagery are significant in the context of contemporary political discourse, where such tactics can have profound implications for public perception and voter behavior. The framing of Mamdani's image in a way that plays into stereotypes raises ethical questions about campaign strategies and the responsibility of candidates and their supporters.
Conclusion
The claim that Cuomo's mailers made Mamdani's skin appear darker is Partially True. While the mailer did feature an altered image of Mamdani, it is important to note that the mailer was never actually disseminated to voters, as it was rejected before production. Nonetheless, the intent behind the alteration and the implications of such actions in political campaigns are concerning and warrant scrutiny.
