Fact Check: Gillibrand Suggests Mamdani Condones Global Jihad During Radio Interview
What We Know
During a recent appearance on WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made comments regarding Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. Gillibrand stated that constituents were "alarmed" by Mamdani's past public statements, particularly those referencing "global jihad" and "the global intifada" (Tony's Thoughts). She implied that such rhetoric could incite violence against Jewish communities, saying, "people that glorify the slaughter of Jews create fear in our communities" (source-1).
Mamdani, who has been the target of various attacks related to his identity as a Muslim American immigrant, has previously been asked about his stance on the phrase "Globalize the intifada." He has clarified that he does not use this term himself but refuses to police speech in the manner that he believes former President Trump did (source-1). Lehrer attempted to push back against Gillibrand's assertions, reminding her that Mamdani has expressed a commitment to protect all New Yorkers, including the Jewish community, and that there is no evidence supporting claims of his endorsement of violence (source-1).
After backlash from various political figures and constituents, Gillibrand's office later stated that she "misspoke" regarding Mamdani's views (Rolling Stone).
Analysis
Gillibrand's comments appear to be based on a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of Mamdani's statements. While she cited concerns from constituents, the evidence presented by Lehrer during the interview indicated that Mamdani has not endorsed any violent rhetoric. The phrase "global jihad" has been historically misused and often conflated with terrorism, leading to misunderstandings about its meaning in Islamic contexts (source-3).
The sources discussing Gillibrand's comments include both critical and supportive perspectives. For instance, Rolling Stone reported that her remarks were seen as fear-mongering and potentially harmful, especially in the context of rising anti-Muslim sentiment following Mamdani's primary victory (source-3). Additionally, other commentators have criticized Gillibrand for perpetuating divisive narratives rather than focusing on the issues that matter to voters (source-5).
The reliability of the sources varies; while Tony's Thoughts provides a detailed account of the events, Rolling Stone and Defector offer critical analyses of Gillibrand's statements, highlighting the potential implications of her rhetoric. The latter sources are generally considered credible in political reporting, though they may carry a bias against Gillibrand due to the nature of their critiques (source-3, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that Gillibrand suggests Mamdani condones global jihad is Partially True. While Gillibrand did make statements implying that Mamdani's past comments could be interpreted as supportive of violent rhetoric, these claims lack substantial evidence. Mamdani has consistently distanced himself from such language, emphasizing his commitment to universal human rights for all communities. Gillibrand's comments appear to reflect a broader political strategy rather than an accurate representation of Mamdani's views.
