In a deeply disturbing development, New York Assemblyman and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has become the target of an alleged Islamophobic bomb threat, sparking an urgent NYPD hate crime investigation. The voicemail, which chillingly warned Mamdani to “go start your car and see what happens,” has left his campaign shaken and voters in shock. The threat is especially unnerving because Mamdani doesn’t even own a car.
This isn’t just politics anymore—this is about safety, hate, and the dangerous new reality candidates are facing in today’s America.
What Exactly Happened?
According to Mamdani’s campaign, they received four threatening voicemails between March and June 2025. All came from a private number and featured the same male voice spewing anti-Muslim slurs, personal threats, and in one message, a frightening reference to a car bomb.
One of the voicemails reportedly said:
“Go start your car and see what happens.”
Another mentioned explosives and old-fashioned pagers, hinting at the kind of tactics used in past terrorist attacks.
Though Mamdani doesn’t drive and has no car, the seriousness of the message led the campaign to immediately contact authorities. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is now on the case, actively investigating.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist lawmaker from Queens, known for his strong advocacy on housing, immigrant rights, and racial justice. Born to Ugandan-Indian parents, he’s one of the few Muslim lawmakers in New York politics, which makes the Islamophobic nature of the threats even more concerning.
He recently announced his candidacy for New York City mayor, and since then, political attack ads and online harassment have been increasing. Many believe these messages are directly tied to the intensifying rhetoric surrounding his campaign.
Mamdani Speaks Out
In a statement to the media, Mamdani said:
“I get voicemails that say the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim. I don’t usually talk about it, but I think people need to understand what public servants are dealing with.”
He also said the threats are meant to distract and intimidate, but he refuses to back down.
His team has now hired private security and is working closely with law enforcement.
Political Reactions and Public Support
The threats have drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. Even former Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose affiliated PAC ran negative ads against Mamdani, publicly denounced the bomb threat, calling it “disgusting and dangerous.”
Comptroller Brad Lander also voiced support, saying these threats are the “direct result of inflammatory political ads” and that campaign messaging needs to be re-evaluated.
Meanwhile, thousands of supporters have taken to social media to stand with Mamdani, using hashtags like #StandWithZohran and #StopIslamophobia.
NYPD Investigation Ongoing
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is analyzing the voicemails and trying to trace the origin of the calls. So far, no arrests have been made, but the investigation remains active.
Security has also been increased around Mamdani’s offices and public appearances.
Why This Matters
This incident reflects a troubling rise in threats against U.S. politicians—especially those from marginalized communities. Just this month, several other elected officials also reported being targeted with death threats and online abuse. Experts say this is part of a wider trend of radicalized political violence.
