Old social media posts of NYC mayor’s wife trigger backlash

Resurfaced posts of Rama Duwaji spark heated debate on social media

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, is facing criticism after a series of old social media posts, believed to be from between 2013 and 2017, resurfaced online and began circulating widely this week.

The posts, reportedly from accounts on platforms like X and Tumblr, are said to include controversial political remarks, offensive language and references that many have described as racist and anti-Israel. Some of the posts allegedly include the use of a racial slur and statements criticising Tel Aviv’s existence.

The issue gained traction after excerpts from these posts were shared across social media, quickly drawing strong reactions. Several reports say the posts date back to Duwaji’s teenage years and early twenties, which has become a key part of the debate around the controversy.

As the backlash grew, Duwaji appeared to deactivate or delete at least one of her old social media accounts. However, there has been no detailed public statement from her directly addressing the specific posts so far, which has kept the issue in the news cycle.

Mayor Mamdani has responded by drawing a clear line between his political role and his wife’s personal past. He has described her as a private individual who does not hold any official position in his administration. His response reflects a broader argument often made in such situations, that past personal views should not automatically be treated as part of a public office-holder’s record.

At the same time, this has opened up a much bigger conversation about how nothing really disappears online. Things people posted years ago, often without much thought, can suddenly come back into focus once they’re connected to someone in public life.

There’s also some uncertainty around how much of this has been fully verified. A lot of what’s circulating is based on accounts believed to be hers, but not everything has been independently confirmed. That’s why some people are urging caution and saying it’s worth waiting for clearer facts before jumping to conclusions.

For Mamdani, this has quickly turned into an unexpected distraction early in his time as mayor. It’s a reminder of how fast personal history can become a political issue, even when it doesn’t directly involve the person in office.