The racism and Islamophobia behind many of the attacks on Zohran Mamdani

Critics of the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor have called him everything from jihadist candidate' to terrorist sympathizer'

On Thursday morning, hours after a combative final New York mayoral debate that failed to move the needle in his favor, Andrew Cuomo's attacks on progressive Democratic rival Zohran Mamdani resumed a familiar, racially charged theme.

God forbid, another 9/11, can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?" the independent candidate and former governor told conservative radio talkshow host Sid Rosenberg, referring to the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City by Islamic extremists.