Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “Monsters” Remarks Ignite Debate Over AIPAC and NYC Primary Politics

In June 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani labeled the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) “monsters” during a Brooklyn rally supporting progressive congressional candidates. The comment arrived amid heightened antisemitic incidents in the city, an ongoing war in Gaza, and a slate of Democratic primaries for U.S. House seats. Critics linked the mayor’s language to historic antisemitic tropes, while supporters argued it targeted dark-money political spending.

New York Post

• AIPAC’s super-PAC, United Democracy Project, contributed $650,000 to BOLD America, which has spent $2.8 million (including $600 k in May and $2.2 million in June) to oppose Darializa Avila Chevalier and support Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

City and State New York

• Federal Election Commission filings show United Democracy Project also made two contributions last month totaling over $600,000 to BOLD America.

City and State New York

• Justice Democrats PAC has spent $370,000 for Claire Valdez and $1.5 million for Avila Chevalier.

City and State New York

• American Priorities super-PAC contributed $1.3 million to Avila Chevalier and $455,000 to Valdez.

City and State New York

• The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports more than 1,000 Gaza deaths since the mid-October ceasefire.

CNN

Mayor Mamdani defended his remarks, saying he was “quoting Antonio Gramsci” to denounce “dark-money” that “preserves power and turns us against one another.” He added that AIPAC “supports the status quo for immorality” and cited the Gaza death toll as a reason to name those enabling the conflict. AIPAC declined to comment when approached for a response.

Jewish Insider

Jewish organizations condemned the language as dehumanizing. The Anti-Defamation League called the remarks “shockingly offensive” and warned they “invoke a dangerous antisemitic trope.” The American Jewish Committee’s CEO Ted Deutch described the mayor’s words as “outrageous and dangerous.” Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk said the claim that AIPAC “spreads discord” echoes historic antisemitic conspiracy theories. Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun accused Mamdani of “inciting hatred” and warned it could fuel violence. Israel’s Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana labeled the mayor “the real monster in NYC” for occupying Gracie Mansion.

YnetNews

Sources differ on Mamdani’s citation of Gramsci; media reports note the phrase is a “notorious misquote.” Several super-PACs (e.g., Real Fight NYC, Progressive Unity Fund) are not required to disclose donors until after the June 23 primary, leaving the full source of “dark money” unclear. Gaza casualty figures are provided solely by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, without independent verification.

Jewish Insider

• “When I am speaking about AIPAC, I’m speaking about an organization that has been supportive of the status quo, that has fought any attempt to actually deliver safety to people, not just in Palestine, but frankly, through much of the region, and it is a status quo for immorality,” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

CNN

• “Mayor Mamdani, referring to fellow New Yorkers as ‘monsters’ is outrageous and dangerous, and the impact of your words extends far beyond politics,” — Ted Deutch, CEO, American Jewish Committee

CNN

• “’ Swap ‘AIPAC’ for ‘Jews’ and it’s the oldest antisemitic conspiracy theory in the books.” — Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Representative (D-NJ)

Mediaite

• “The claim that AIPAC exists not to pursue a political agenda, but to spread discord and wield influence for its own sake, is not new,” — Jim Berk, CEO, Simon Wiesenthal Center

New York Post

• “Well, the real monster in NYC is the antisemite currently occupying Gracie Mansion,” — Amir Ohana, Knesset Speaker

Jewish News Syndicate

The Democratic primaries slated for June 23 will test the political viability of candidates endorsed by Mamdani and those backed by AIPAC-aligned super-PACs. Ongoing criticism may prompt formal inquiries by city ethics officials and could influence voter perceptions of both the mayor and the implicated advocacy groups.

CNN