CAIR Action Slams Andrew Cuomo’s “Despicable” Islamophobic Remarks and Racist AI Ad Targeting Zohran Mamdani
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By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO News Desk, TIO: The Council on American-Islamic Relations Action (CAIR Action), one of the nation’s leading Muslim political advocacy organizations, has issued a scathing condemnation of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his inflammatory remarks and a racist AI-generated campaign ad targeting New York Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
During an appearance on The Sid Rosenberg Show, a radio program long criticized for racist and misogynistic commentary, Cuomo engaged in a disturbing exchange. The host invoked the 9/11 tragedy, saying, “God forbid, another 9/11 — can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” to which Cuomo replied, after a pause and chuckle, “That’s another problem.”
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CAIR Action called the remarks “despicable, dangerous, and disqualifying.”
Executive Director Basim Elkarra stated:
“By agreeing with a racist radio host who suggested a Muslim elected official would ‘cheer’ another 9/11, Cuomo has crossed a moral line. This rhetoric is reckless and life-threatening to Muslim, Arab, and South Asian New Yorkers who still bear the scars of post-9/11 hate.”
The controversy deepened when Cuomo’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account briefly posted — and then deleted — a two-minute AI-generated video titled “Criminals for Zohran Mamdani.”
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The video featured degrading stereotypes, showing an AI version of Mamdani eating rice with his hands, and depicting racist caricatures of Black and Muslim New Yorkers portrayed as criminals and abusers — imagery Elkarra condemned as “dehumanizing and politically desperate.”
“Andrew Cuomo’s use of artificial intelligence to manufacture racist propaganda shows a stunning disregard for truth and decency,” Elkarra said. “Depicting Muslims and Black New Yorkers as predators is how hate gets normalized — it’s not politics, it’s poison.”
CAIR Action is now urging Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Mayor Eric Adams to publicly condemn Cuomo’s behavior and reaffirm that Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, and xenophobia have no place in New York politics.
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“Silence is complicity,” Elkarra added. “When leaders joke about terrorism while naming a Muslim public servant, every elected official must speak up. Cuomo’s actions are not just an embarrassment — they are a threat to our communities.”
CAIR Action is calling on voters, political leaders, and media organizations to reject the normalization of Islamophobia and demand accountability from public figures who exploit racial and religious fear for political gain.
“Cuomo’s campaign has shown us what fear looks like in digital form,” Elkarra concluded. “It’s time for New York to show what solidarity looks like.”
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Curated by Humra Kidwai
