NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani faces backlash for using kids in campaign ads
Zohran Mamdani Faces Backlash for Featuring School Kids in Campaign Ads
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old New York City mayoral candidate, is under fire for using school children in his online campaign ads despite previously acknowledging the benefits of growing up without social media. Mamdani, known for his viral content, received criticism on Instagram after posting interviews with two kids endorsing his bid for City Hall.
The backlash comes as New York City recently implemented a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms to safeguard student mental health. Mamdani, who supports the ban, made an appearance outside I.S. 5 in Queens to commend the new policy and welcome students back to school.
In a post on Instagram, Mamdani reflected on his own childhood, stating, “I consider myself fortunate—when I was a student, it was before social media had cannibalized the way that kids interact with one another.” However, shortly afterwards, his campaign accounts featured videos of the two children speaking directly to him and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Critics questioned Mamdani’s decision to involve children in his political ads while simultaneously expressing concerns about the impact of social media on young people. Some followers expressed discomfort with using kids to promote a political agenda, calling it unacceptable.
Mamdani’s use of children in his campaign ads coincided with Governor Kathy Hochul defending the cellphone ban in schools on “Fox News Sunday.” The new law prohibits smartphones and smartwatches during school hours, with exceptions for medical or educational purposes.
As Mamdani continues his progressive campaign, which includes promises of a $30 minimum wage and a rent freeze, he faces scrutiny for his use of children in promotional material. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani for comment on the controversy.
Emma Bussey, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Prior to joining Fox, Bussey worked at The Telegraph on the U.S. overnight team, covering foreign affairs, politics, news, sports, and culture.
