CNN Conservative Argues Mamdani Is Dealing With ‘Problems of His Own Making’ on Anti-Semitism

During a Friday CNN segment on the New York City mayoral race, conservative commentator Brad Todd argued that Democratic socialist and front-runner Zohran Mamdani is facing controversy over anti-Semitism, not because of bias against his faith, but because of “problems of his own making.”

The discussion followed remarks from CNN contributor Lulu Garcia-Navarro, who said Mamdani — a Muslim — has been forced to “repeatedly talk about his faith” and defend “where he sits in the firmament in regards to issues like Israel and Palestine.” She also noted that Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo has sought to “pit him and his Muslim identity against Jewish New Yorkers,” calling such attacks “despicable” and politically ineffective.

“Aren’t some of these problems of his own making?” Todd pressed, saying that while anti-Muslim bias exists, “[Mamdani] refused to criticize the phrase ‘globalize the intifada,’ which is not the same as embracing it, but he also said he had no opinion on Hamas’s place in governing Gaza. New York is home to the second-largest number of Jews anywhere but Israel… If he doesn’t want to be dogged by this, then he should make very clear that he sides with the people of Israel against the terrorists.”

Garcia-Navarro pushed back, saying Mamdani’s views on Israel and Palestine have been consistent and separate from his relationship with Jewish New Yorkers. “You can have an opinion on what Israel is or is not doing, and that does not mean that you are anti-Semitic or that you would somehow hurt the interests of Jewish New Yorkers,” she said.

Mamdani has said his critics are holding him to a double standard, insisting his past remarks have been taken out of context. In June 2025, during an interview on The Bulwark Podcast, he failed to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada,” saying, “Ultimately, what I hear in so many is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights.”

He later told MSNBC in September that he would now “discourage” use of the slogan and emphasized that he condemns anti-Semitism in all forms.

Watch the clip above via CNN.