A resurfaced video ignited controversy in the days leading up to a recent election, featuring the father of a New York City mayoral candidate making a startling claim. Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, asserted in a 2022 panel discussion that Adolf Hitler drew inspiration from Abraham Lincoln.
The clip, widely circulated online and viewed millions of times, shows Mamdani arguing that America’s history of “settler-colonialism,” particularly the forced relocation of Native Americans during the Civil War era, provided a blueprint for the Nazis’ genocidal policies. He specifically stated that Hitler concluded genocide was “doable” after observing Lincoln’s use of reservations.
The assertion sparked immediate and intense backlash. Critics expressed disbelief and outrage, questioning how such a comparison could be made. The video quickly became a focal point of debate, with many questioning the candidate’s alignment with his father’s views.
This isn’t the first time Mahmood Mamdani’s past statements have drawn scrutiny. He has previously argued that America is the “root of all evil” and has faced criticism for a statement in one of his books suggesting a need to recognize suicide bombers as a category of soldier.
Further complicating matters, Mamdani serves on the advisory council of an organization that advocates for boycotts against Israel and routinely accuses the Israeli government of genocide. The organization’s founder and members have connections to movements with documented ties to terrorism.
The candidate himself acknowledged growing up in a politically charged environment, admitting he was “open to what would be considered being a radical from a very young age.” He described his identities as a Muslim and an immigrant as inherently “radical” within mainstream American political thought.
While the candidate maintains his own independent views, his mother acknowledged the profound influence of their shared world of ideas and activism. She stated that the environment in which he was raised inevitably shaped his perspectives and beliefs.
The controversy raises questions about the extent to which a candidate should be held accountable for the views of their parents, and the implications of those views for their potential leadership. It underscores the intense scrutiny faced by public figures and the enduring power of past statements to shape public perception.
