Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over a resurfaced photo. (AP/Zohran Mamdani via X)
"He is being disrespectful to the Italian American community." Vivolo added. "If you offend one community, you offend all communities."
Joseph Scelsa, the founder and president of the Italian American Museum, suggested it is unwise for Mamdani to alienate Italians, who the New York Post reported make up 8% of the population of New York City.
"To eliminate such a large population of people would be a travesty," Scelsa said. "It’s not inclusive. It’s exclusionary. Who’s to say who is a hero and who is not a hero? Columbus is our hero."
SOME WEALTHY NEW YORK ELITES SURPRISINGLY BACK NYC SOCIALIST CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO TAX THEM MORE
Zohran Mamdani during an election night event in New York, early on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"so u can be a nepo baby anchor baby who's never had a job in your life and potentially become mayor of America's largest city simply on the force of hating white people hard enough," Foundation for Freedom Online executive director Mike Benz posted on X.
"This communist clown needs to be sent back," Federalist CEO Sean Davis posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign but did not receive a response about the post, which is still visible on his X account as of Tuesday morning.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, rocked the political landscape last month when he was victorious in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary despite running on a platform filled with left-wing priorities and a track record that includes previous calls to defund the police.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to parents from India, has become a target for moderate Democrats and Republicans over his socialist views and recently faced controversy after it was reported he identified as Asian and African American while applying to college.
Mamdani is set to face off against several candidates in the general election this November, including current Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
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