Post by @AlexDuncanTX
0% credible. The claim that ISIS supports Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory in New York City is entirely false, relying on a fabricated image misrepresented as ISIS propaganda. Fact-checks from DW, INSS, and Religion Dispatches confirm no such endorsement exists, highlighting the claim as part of broader Islamophobic smears against Mamdani.
Analysis Summary
The post claims that ISIS is supporting Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory in New York City, using an image purportedly from ISIS propaganda. The image is a fabricated hoax, as no credible evidence exists of ISIS issuing such a statement, and fact-checks debunk similar extremism allegations against Mamdani as Islamophobic smears. Opposing views highlight a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric following Mamdani's win, with omissions including the lack of context on Mamdani's progressive platform focused on affordability rather than extremism.
Original Content
The Facts
The post's central claim of ISIS openly supporting Mamdani's victory is unfounded and relies on a manipulated image that mimics ISIS propaganda but contains inconsistencies and lacks verification from any reliable sources. Verdict: False. Fact-checks from outlets like DW and analyses from INSS and Religion Dispatches confirm no such ISIS endorsement exists, framing these accusations as part of broader Islamophobic attacks on Mamdani.
Benefit of the Doubt
The author advances an anti-Islam agenda by portraying Mamdani as a 'jihadi' threat to America, using inflammatory language to link his election to terrorism and stoke fear among readers. Key omissions include the debunked nature of extremism claims against Mamdani, his actual platform on housing and affordability, and the context of rising Islamophobia post his primary win, as reported by The Guardian and Dawn. This selective framing demonizes Muslims in politics, shaping perception as an existential danger while ignoring counter-evidence of smears from right-wing influencers.
Visual Content Analysis
Images included in the original content
VISUAL DESCRIPTION
A black-background propaganda poster featuring Arabic script at the top, ISIS black flag logo, and white text in English describing 'Operation Manhattan Project.' It includes Islamic phrases, references to 9/11 and a supposed '11/4 operation' in NYC, Quranic verse, and a date at the bottom. The layout mimics official ISIS statements with bold headings and formal language.
TEXT IN IMAGE
All praise is due to Allah and may his peace and blessing be upon His Messenger and his companions and family. We, in the Islamic State, would like to express our sincerest excitement and deepest commendation for today's jihad in New York City and its valiant and righteous martyrs. Each year a day comes when we are overwhelmed with joy, a day when these past joyful memories are remembered; memories of glory and victory, reviving and restoring hope, pride, and honour to Muslims. 9/11, a date such remembered by the entire world. Events are chronicled based on this date; the country based on such events took place pre or post 9/11. The country and people by large consider 9/11 to be a historic date is the American government and its citizens, respectively. The 11/4 operations have been the most carefully coordinated response to American aggression and imperialism launched from the Muslim world since 9/11. We learned from our mistakes made during the operations in Paris and Brussels, and we were able to introduce and deliver Open Source Jihad instructions to 109 Muslim brothers living in America who expressed desire to commit today's jihad. Allah says: (Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert people from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be a source of regret; then they will be overcome) [8:36] Donald Trump takes credit for 'defeating the Islamic State'. We would very much like to congratulate the stupid and illegitimate authority of Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, and John Ratcliffe. May peace and blessings be upon His Messenger and his family. The Islamic State 04/11/2025 Jumada al-Awwal 13 1447H
MANIPULATION
The image shows signs of fabrication, including grammatical errors (e.g., 'valiant and righteousous martyrs,' 'commendation for today's jihad'), inconsistent dating (references 9/11 but dated April 2025 with a future-like Hijri calendar), and references to non-existent events like '11/4 operations' tied to Mamdani's election. No authentic ISIS channels have released this, and reverse image searches yield no matches to real propaganda.
TEMPORAL ACCURACY
Dated 04/11/2025 (April 11, 2025), which predates the November 2025 election context of the post (November 4, 2025), but the content falsely implies a recent 'victory' claim; Hijri date 1447H aligns with 2025 but overall framing is anachronistic and not tied to real events.
LOCATION ACCURACY
Mentions New York City but provides no visual geographical clues like landmarks; the claim is abstract and tied to a supposed operation, with no verifiable location-specific elements.
FACT-CHECK
The image purports to be an ISIS statement celebrating a jihad linked to Mamdani's victory, but it is a hoax. No credible news or intelligence reports confirm ISIS commentary on Mamdani; searches reveal only debunkings of similar claims as misinformation from anti-Muslim sources.
How Is This Framed?
Biases, omissions, and misleading presentation techniques detected
Fails to mention fact-checks debunking the image as a hoax and absence of any real ISIS statement, presenting fabricated content as fact.
Problematic phrases:
"ISIS is openly supporting and calling his victory already"What's actually there:
No credible ISIS endorsement; image is manipulated hoax per DW and INSS fact-checks
What's implied:
Genuine ISIS support for Mamdani
Impact: Readers perceive Mamdani as a terrorist ally, fueling Islamophobia without awareness of smears.
Omits Mamdani's progressive platform on housing and affordability, framing his win solely through extremism lens.
Problematic phrases:
"This is all you need to know about jihadi Mamdani"What's actually there:
Platform focuses on affordability, not extremism; reported by The Guardian
What's implied:
Election tied to jihadist agenda
Impact: Distorts perception of Mamdani as a threat, ignoring balanced political context and rising anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Implies ISIS support causes or confirms Mamdani's 'jihadi' nature, without evidence of any link.
Problematic phrases:
"jihadi Mamdani""ISIS is openly supporting"What's actually there:
No causal connection; claims echo baseless Islamophobic narratives
What's implied:
Support proves alignment with terrorism
Impact: Creates false narrative of causation, leading readers to infer Mamdani endangers America via elections.
Uses 'already' to suggest imminent threat from Mamdani's victory, despite the claim being unfounded.
Problematic phrases:
"calling his victory already"What's actually there:
Victory is recent but ISIS claim is hoax, no ongoing threat
What's implied:
Immediate ISIS-backed danger
Impact: Heightens panic, prompting reactive fear over deliberate assessment of facts.
Sources & References
External sources consulted for this analysis
https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/The-Jihadi-Threat-ISIS-Al-Qaeda-and-Beyond.pdf
https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-claims-of-extremism-against-mamdani-debunked/a-73058573
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/is-propaganda_web_english.pdf
https://religiondispatches.org/with-mamdani-leading-nyc-mayoral-race-opponents-of-both-parties-reach-for-islamophobia/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/zohran-mamdani-arabic-campaign-ad-b2856975.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/25/zohran-mamdani-attacks-racism-islamophobia-
https://www.newsweek.com/isis-releases-first-propaganda-video-hebrew-2-598175
https://www.inss.org.il/publication/mamdani/
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2025/06/29/opinion-its-maddening-see-people/
https://americanthinker.com/blog/2025/10/mamdani_giddily_poses_with_imam_who_has_a_long_history_of_supporting_and_raising_funds_for_convicted_killers.html
https://thehill.com/homenews/race-politics/5369604-right-wing-influencers-mamdani-win-anti-islam-attacks
https://patriotpost.us/articles/118501-jihadi-mamdani-fallout-2025-06-27
https://dailykos.com/stories/2025/11/4/2351851/-Mamdani-Attacked-With-Massive-Last-Minute-Red-Baiting-and-Islamophobia-Campaign
https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1920697
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1980350113454457221
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1979546149309555028
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1938755527728574695
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1983288848529666129
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1940447616099299460
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937844327721353420
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/11/3/new_york_city_zohran_mamdani
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rjjdvx5r5o
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/04/nx-s1-5597788/election-results-zohran-mamdani-new-york-city-mayor
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/01/zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayoral-race-pressure-00631903
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2025-elections/new-york-city-mayor-results
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/04/nyc-mayoral-election-results-zohran-mamdani-andrew-cuomo-voting-polls
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/nyc-election-results-2025/
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-mayoral-candidates-running-2025-election/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c231e284345o
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/nyc-mayoral-candidates-make-final-push-ahead-of-election-day
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/03/zohran-mamdani-lead-new-york-city-mayoral-race
https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snl-nyc-mayor-cold-open-miles-teller-shane-gillis-ramy-youseff-watch
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/snl-cold-open-features-nyc-mayoral-debate-with-zohran-mamdani-donald-trump-appearances/articleshow/125029155.cms?from=mdr
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/arts/television/snl-debate-nyc-mayoral-hopefuls.html
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1934939622372409846
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937843894407799202
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937215766035620058
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937893618909376736
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937147857854775756
https://x.com/AlexDuncanTX/status/1937688550490931451
Want to see @alexduncantx's track record?
View their credibility score and all analyzed statements