Mehdi Hasan Fact-Checks Eric Trump's False Anti-India Claims About NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani

British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan delivered a sharp rebuke to Eric Trump following the latter's controversial allegations about New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, particularly claims regarding anti-Indian sentiments.

During a recent interview, Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump, characterized the 34-year-old Democratic mayor-elect as someone who "hates the Indian population" and labeled him a "socialist communist." Eric Trump further alleged that Mamdani holds animosity toward both Indian and Jewish communities.

Responding swiftly on social media platform X, Hasan challenged these assertions by pointing out a fundamental contradiction in Eric Trump's claims. "Zohran Mamdani is Indian. This is why they call Eric the dumbest of the dumb sons," wrote Hasan, whose own parents hail from Hyderabad. His response highlighted the logical inconsistency in suggesting an Indian-origin politician harbors hatred toward Indians.

Eric Trump's criticisms also addressed Mamdani's political positions, including the mayor-elect's campaign statement about potentially arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York. During the interview, Trump claimed the city had elected "a socialist... communist... who wants to nationalise grocery stores and wants to arrest Netanyahu, hates the Jewish people, hates the Indian population."

Mamdani, who is the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, has not directly addressed Eric Trump's allegations regarding supposed animosity toward Indian or Jewish communities.

As executive vice-president of the Trump Organisation, Eric Trump further criticized Mamdani's policy platform, arguing that New York needs "safe streets, clean streets, reasonable taxes."

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, made history earlier this month by winning the New York City mayoral election. When he takes office on January 1, he will become the city's first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in more than a century. His electoral victory in a city with a Jewish population larger than Jerusalem adds particular significance to his win.