Even before taking office, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a prime target for conservative media, facing intense criticism over his political views and background.

Conservative outlets and commentators have labelled Mamdani with terms ranging from “Marxist” and “commie” to “jihadist sympathizer” and “seething leftist,” portraying him as a threat to American values. A post-election New York Post cover showing Mamdani holding the Soviet hammer and sickle symbol sold out quickly and was even listed on eBay.

Experts say Mamdani’s appeal to working-class voters has made him a focus for conservative criticism, similar to previous targets like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Pelosi. “He’s colorful, controversial and not afraid of a fight,” said Howard Polskin, publisher of the Righting newsletter.

Media outlets including Fox News, Newsmax, and the Washington Examiner have highlighted Mamdani’s election night speech and his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, as well as his Muslim background, to question his suitability for office. Some commentators have wrongly conflated socialism with communism to amplify the criticism.

Mamdani, however, has repeatedly denied being a communist and emphasized that his focus remains on addressing city issues. He has also condemned antisemitism and rejected extremist violence, while supporting human rights causes.

The conservative backlash reflects a broader trend in which media portray prominent political figures as representative of their party’s perceived extremes. Analysts say Mamdani’s visibility among young and working-class voters may be fueling the attention from right-wing outlets, who see him as a potential influence on future elections.

Despite the criticism, Mamdani continues preparations to assume office, while his team addresses the misinformation circulating in media and online platforms.