Even some of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s closest allies are beginning to challenge his insistence that his wife, Rama Duwaji, is “a private person,” as attention intensifies on her social media history. Duwaji’s online activity, which includes celebrating Hamas and using offensive racial language, has drawn criticism, yet Mamdani has refused to address it, arguing she holds no formal role in his administration.
In a recent Politico report, political insiders say the stance is becoming increasingly untenable. “As the leader of New York City, he has to start addressing this. It’s his responsibility,” said Tanesha Grant, founder of Moms United For Black Lives NYC. “He can’t let things fester. All his consultants should tell him: he can’t shield her from this.”
Five people close to Mamdani, including elected officials and a transition team member, told Politico that Duwaji is effectively a public figure by virtue of her role as first lady. They said she should publicly explain her past statements, visit key constituencies, and take part in public events.
The controversy echoes past concerns about antisemitism tied to Mamdani and others in his orbit. His first appointments director, Catherine Almonte Da Costa, resigned over antisemitic social media posts, and campaign supporter Kaif Gilani was fired after past comments supporting Hamas emerged. Critics argue that Duwaji’s social media history exacerbates these concerns. Rabbi Moshe Davis, a former city anti-antisemitism official, said her previous posts celebrating terrorists and using racial slurs “compromise the safety of New Yorkers” and “exacerbate” charges of antisemitism against Mamdani.
Duwaji, 28, a visual artist, has largely stayed out of the public eye but appeared in a New York Magazine photo shoot after the mayor’s election. Since then, the mayor’s office has tagged her social media posts in official channels, further complicating claims that she is a private person.
Mamdani and Duwaji declined to comment, and political analysts remain divided. Some suggest avoiding discussion is a savvy political strategy, pointing to Mamdani’s high approval ratings and electoral success. Others say continued silence may only intensify scrutiny and public concern as hate crimes and tensions surrounding antisemitism rise in New York City.
With her social media history under the spotlight, Duwaji’s role as first lady is forcing the mayor to confront a question he cannot easily sidestep: can someone truly be a private person while occupying one of the city’s most visible roles?
