Trending Now - Mamdani Under Fire for Hosting Divisive Speaker Amidst Debate

WHO:

Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Mahmoud Khalil, anti-Israel activist and accused Hamas sympathizer

Jake Lang, right-wing activist and pardoned January 6 rioter

Ben Rhodes, Obama staffer turned writer and podcaster

Dr. Phil McGraw, host of "The Real Story" podcast

Jake Lang, right-wing activist and pardoned January 6 rioter

Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, individuals charged with terrorism

Dr. Phil McGraw, host of "The Real Story" podcast

Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Lara Trump, host of ‘My View with Lara Trump’

Ben Rhodes, Obama staffer turned writer and podcaster

Joel M. Petlin, Superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District

Inna Vernikov, New York City Republican Councilwoman

Eyal Yakoby, UPenn student

Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

Rama Duwaji, wife of Zohran Mamdani

Mahmoud Khalil, anti-Israel activist and accused Hamas sympathizer

The Trump administration

Anas al-Sharif, alleged Hamas terrorist and Al Jazeera correspondent

WHAT:

Duwaji liked several social media posts in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack that were critical of Israel.

Mamdani stated, "For Mahmoud Khalil, this past year has been marked by profound hardship—and by profound courage," regarding Khalil's situation.

Khalil described the October 7 attacks as a "desperate" moment justified by the terror group’s struggle, stating, "Unfortunately, we couldn’t avoid such a moment."

Dr. Phil criticized Duwaji for liking posts celebrating the October 7 attacks, stating, "Anyone who likes what happened on October 7th is not standing for human rights. They're standing with terror."

A group led by Jake Lang protested the "Islamic takeover" of New York City, clashing with another group inspired by ISIS.

Balat and Kayumi have been charged with serious crimes, including use of a weapon of mass destruction and providing support to ISIS.

Dr. Phil criticized Rama Duwaji for liking social media posts celebrating the October 7, 2023, attacks, stating, "Anyone who likes what happened on October 7th is not standing for human rights. They're standing with terror."

Duwaji liked a February 2024 Instagram post claiming The New York Times’ investigation into sexual violence during the October 7 attacks was "fabricated."

Mamdani's Instagram post about the dinner with Khalil was viewed almost 3 million times.

Khalil described the October 7, 2023, attacks as a "desperate" moment which Palestinians "had to reach" in order to have their voices heard.

Khalil stated, "Unfortunately, we couldn’t avoid such a moment," regarding the October 7 attacks.

Mamdani stated, "My wife is the love of my life, and she's also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall."

Rama Duwaji liked social media posts celebrating the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.

Mamdani hosted Mahmoud Khalil and his family for dinner at Gracie Mansion during Ramadan.

Khalil was arrested by ICE early in 2025 and faces deportation.

Khalil described the October 7 attacks as an "unavoidable moment" justified by the terror group’s struggle.

Mamdani stated, "Mahmoud is a New Yorker, and he belongs in New York City."

Khalil's son will turn one year old on April 21, 2026.

WHERE:

Gracie Mansion, New York City

Louisiana federal lockup (where Khalil was detained)

WHEN:

March 9th, 2026, date of the dinner hosted by Mamdani for Khalil and his family.

Early 2025, date of Mamdani and Duwaji's marriage.

March 9th, 2026, date of the protest and attempted bombing near Gracie Mansion.

The dinner with Khalil took place on March 9th, 2026, marking the one-year anniversary of his detention.

October 7, 2023, date of the Hamas attacks

Early 2025, date of Mamdani and Duwaji's marriage

January 12, 2026, date of a news conference with Mamdani and Duwaji

April 21, 2026, date of Khalil's son's first birthday

June 2025, date when a three-judge panel ruled on Khalil's immigration process

WHY:

The backlash against Duwaji's social media activity was fueled by her liking posts that celebrated the October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and numerous kidnappings.

The protest was motivated by claims of an "Islamic takeover" of the city.

Dr. Phil argued that being the spouse of a powerful politician comes with a "certain level of responsibility and scrutiny."

Mamdani described Khalil's past year as marked by "profound hardship—and by profound courage."

Mamdani hosted Khalil to show solidarity and support for his situation, which he described as marked by "profound hardship—and by profound courage."

The Trump administration accused Khalil of committing fraud on his green card application and claimed he poses a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests.

HOW:

Mamdani defended his wife by stating, "I, however, was elected to represent all 8.5 million people in the city, and I believe that it's my responsibility, because of that role, to answer any questions about my thoughts and my policies and my decisions."

The individuals involved in the protest allegedly took improvised explosive devices to Gracie Mansion.

Mamdani posted a photo from the dinner on Instagram, showing his wife holding a plate of food next to Khalil.

Mamdani used social media to announce the dinner with Khalil, stating, "Rama and I were honored to welcome Mahmoud, Noor, and their son Deen to Gracie Mansion to break our fast together."

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 03:40 UTC)

In a recent dinner hosted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil and his family, controversy erupted over the social media activity of Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, who liked posts celebrating the October 7 attacks that resulted in over 1,200 deaths. Dr. Phil criticized Duwaji's actions, stating that anyone who supports such sentiments is not standing for human rights, while Mamdani defended his wife, emphasizing his responsibility to represent all 8.5 million residents of the city. Khalil, reflecting on the October 7 attacks, described them as a "desperate" moment justified by the struggle of his group, which has drawn significant backlash against both him and Duwaji.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 01:24 UTC)

On March 9, a protest led by right-wing activist Jake Lang took place near Gracie Mansion in New York City, where demonstrators clashed with a group inspired by ISIS, fueled by claims of an "Islamic takeover" of the city. During this incident, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were charged with serious offenses, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction and providing support to ISIS, as they allegedly brought improvised explosive devices to the protest. The situation escalated quickly, highlighting the tensions surrounding the ongoing debates over extremism and public safety.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 23:04 UTC)

In a heated exchange on his podcast "The Real Story," Dr. Phil McGraw criticized Rama Duwaji for liking social media posts that celebrated the October 7 attacks, asserting that such actions do not align with human rights. Duwaji had previously liked an Instagram post claiming that The New York Times’ investigation into sexual violence during those attacks was fabricated. In response, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his wife, emphasizing his duty to represent all 8.5 million residents of the city and to address any questions regarding his thoughts and policies.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 17:17 UTC)

On March 9, 2026, a dinner was held to mark the one-year anniversary of Khalil's detention, where Mamdani shared a heartfelt Instagram post that garnered nearly 3 million views. During the dinner, Khalil reflected on the October 7 attacks, describing them as a "desperate" moment that Palestinians felt they had to reach in order to be heard, while Mamdani emphasized the profound hardship and courage Khalil has faced over the past year. The post included a photo of Mamdani's wife alongside Khalil, showcasing a personal moment amidst the significant political backdrop.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 13:21 UTC)

In a recent social media post, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, hosted Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist facing deportation, for dinner at Gracie Mansion during Ramadan. Khalil, who was arrested by ICE in early 2025 and described the October 7 attacks by Hamas as an "unavoidable moment," has been accused by the Trump administration of committing fraud on his green card application. Mamdani expressed his support for Khalil, stating, "Mahmoud is a New Yorker, and he belongs in New York City," as Khalil's son prepares to celebrate his first birthday on April 21.