Mamdani Stands Firm Against AIPAC Criticism Amid Antisemitism Claims
WHO:
CNN - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
CNN - Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee
CNN - Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee
CNN - New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer
CNN - Rep. Adriano Espaillat
CNN - Darializa Avila Chevalier, candidate challenging Espaillat
CNN - Brad Lander, candidate for Congress
CNN - Claire Valdez, candidate for Congress
WHAT:
CNN - Mamdani stated that AIPAC has spent millions to boost pro-Israel candidates in congressional primaries this year, often running ads that reference domestic issues rather than foreign policy.
CNN - Mamdani described the political contributions made by AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, as totaling over $600,000 to BOLD America last month.
CNN - Mamdani quoted Antonio Gramsci to explain his use of the term "monsters," indicating it was a broader critique of super PAC spending, not solely directed at AIPAC.
CNN - Mamdani defended his remarks criticizing AIPAC, stating it supports a status quo that is "immoral."
CNN - Mamdani described AIPAC as "monsters" who fund misleading political ads.
CNN - AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, contributed over $600,000 to BOLD America.
CNN - Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,000 people in Gaza since a ceasefire began in mid-October.
CNN - Mamdani quoted Antonio Gramsci in his remarks about "monsters."
WHERE:
CNN - City Hall, New York City
CNN - New York’s 13th District
WHEN:
CNN - Mamdani's remarks were made during a press conference on a Monday.
CNN - AIPAC’s contributions were made last month.
CNN - The ceasefire in Gaza began in mid-October.
CNN - Hamas' attack on Israel occurred on October 7, 2023.
WHY:
CNN - Mamdani emphasized the need to name those who allow death and destruction to occur overseas, linking it to the influence of organizations like AIPAC.
CNN - Mamdani criticized AIPAC for its influence in political races and its support of the status quo in the region.
CNN - Jewish leaders condemned Mamdani's remarks, claiming they could incite violence against Jewish communities.
HOW:
CNN - Mamdani criticized super PAC spending in New York races, stating it prevents the birth of a new world and sustains an untenable status quo that harms working people.
CNN - Mamdani used the term "monsters" to describe those funding misleading political ads, indicating a broader critique of super PAC spending.
(UPDATED June 23, 2026 04:23 UTC)
Mamdani highlighted that AIPAC has invested millions to support pro-Israel candidates in congressional primaries this year, often focusing their ads on domestic issues rather than foreign policy. He noted that AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project, contributed over $600,000 to BOLD America last month, and he used a quote from Antonio Gramsci to frame his critique of super PAC spending as a broader issue, not just limited to AIPAC. Mamdani also criticized the influence of super PACs in New York races, arguing that their spending hinders progress and perpetuates a damaging status quo that negatively impacts working people.
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(UPDATED June 22, 2026 23:26 UTC)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his recent remarks criticizing AIPAC during a press conference at City Hall, labeling the organization as "monsters" that fund misleading political ads and support an "immoral" status quo. His comments come amid rising tensions, as Israeli strikes have resulted in over 1,000 deaths in Gaza since a ceasefire began in mid-October, prompting backlash from Jewish leaders who argue that Mamdani's words could incite violence against Jewish communities. AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project, contributed over $600,000 to BOLD America last month, highlighting the significant influence of money in political races that Mamdani is challenging.