Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City mayor as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on at City Hall on Jan. 1, 2026, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado / Getty Images)
Published March 23, 2026
A growing political firestorm has ignited in New York City over resurfaced social media posts made by Rama Duwaji, the wife of newly sworn‑in Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Conservative outlets have reported that Duwaji’s old posts from her teenage years and early adulthood appear to celebrate or glorify extremist violence — including praise for Palestinian terrorists responsible for plane hijackings, and attacks on U.S. service members — raising questions about her judgment and political views.
Resurfaced Posts Include Praise for Terrorist Figures
According to reporting by The Washington Free Beacon and others, Duwaji posted on Tumblr and X (formerly Twitter) years ago about controversial figures tied to Palestinian militancy. In one example from September 2017, she shared an image of Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who participated in airline hijackings in 1969 and 1970, with a caption quoting Khaled’s motto: “If it does good for my cause, I’ll be happy to accept death.”
Khaled is internationally known for her role in those hijackings and the PFLP is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.
Duwaji also reportedly reposted a graphic about Shadia Abu Ghazaleh, a PFLP member involved in terrorist bombings, on International Women’s Day in 2015.
Additional Allegations: Attacks on U.S. Troops and Other Content
Beyond the praise of terrorist figures, commentary by The Western Journal’s coverage claims her historical posts included anti‑American military sentiment — suggesting that U.S. soldiers engaged in imperialist wars were “not brave” and aligning with broader critiques of U.S. foreign policy.
Conservative commentary pieces have characterized the overall social media history as glorifying “suicide attack propaganda” and expressing support for attacks against U.S. troops.
Backlash and Deletion of Accounts
In response to the controversy, some of Duwaji’s old social profiles — including her X account — have reportedly been deactivated or deleted following the resurfacing of these posts.
Her Instagram account, on which she has a large following, remains active, and City Hall has not issued a full statement detailing the specifics of the posts or confirmed that all reported content was definitively authored by her. Mayor Mamdani has defended his wife, asserting she is a private individual with no official role in his administration and that her past online activity was from before they married and before his mayoral campaign.
Political and Public Reaction
The controversy has drawn criticism from conservative commentators and segments of the public, who say Duwaji’s historical praise for extremist figures is disqualifying for someone in the public spotlight. Supporters argue that social media content from teenage years or early adulthood should be judged differently and emphasize political context.
Independent reporting from outlets like The Times of Israel notes that several of the posts praised figures associated with armed struggle against Israel and linked to violent acts, though The Times of Israel adds it could not independently verify every claim.
🧩 The Core Analysis: NYC First Lady’s Past Social Media Posts Spark Outrage
Recent reports have revealed that New York City’s First Lady, Rama Duwaji, made social media posts in her teenage years and early adulthood praising Palestinian terrorists, including plane hijackers, and expressing hostility toward U.S. troops. These resurfaced posts have caused widespread public concern about her judgment and the values she appears to endorse. While some defenders argue these posts are from a distant past, many citizens question whether such views can be dismissed as youthful indiscretion given her public position alongside the mayor.
Key Points
- Praise for Terrorist Figures – Posts highlighted figures like Leila Khaled, a member of the PFLP responsible for airline hijackings in 1969 and 1970, and other militants involved in violent attacks. Captions suggested admiration for their methods and commitment to their cause.
- Anti-American Military Sentiment – Some posts allegedly disparaged U.S. troops, framing them as oppressors rather than defenders, which critics argue is troubling given the First Lady’s role in public life.
- Deletion and Inaccessibility of Accounts – Following public exposure, Duwaji’s old accounts were reportedly deleted or deactivated, raising questions about accountability and transparency.
- Public vs. Private Life Debate – Defenders claim these posts were from before her marriage and public role, suggesting that individuals should not be judged indefinitely for youthful expressions. Critics argue that endorsing or glorifying violent actors, even in the past, is serious when tied to public influence.
🔗 The Synthesis: Understanding the Implications
This situation is more than a resurfacing of old posts; it reflects on character, judgment, and the messages that public figures’ families send. Social media history, while not always indicative of present views, can influence public perception and trust in leadership.
Key Points
- Symbolic Weight of Public Figures’ Families – Even if not holding office, a first lady’s public associations and history shape perceptions of the administration she represents.
- Impact on National Security Perception – Glorifying individuals who have carried out violent attacks against Americans can raise legitimate concerns among citizens about their alignment with national interests.
- Accountability vs. Forgiveness – Society must weigh the argument of youthful indiscretion against the lasting consequences of endorsing violent ideologies. Dismissing such posts outright risks normalizing support for extremist acts.
- Political Ramifications – While the mayor may defend his spouse, the broader political optics are challenging. Public trust can erode when leaders or their families are associated with extremist sentiment, regardless of the time frame.
🏁 The Final Word:
The exposure of these posts by NYC’s First Lady demonstrates the persistent relevance of past online behavior, particularly for individuals tied to public office. While some argue that her social media activity occurred in her youth and should not define her, the content praised acts of terrorism and attacks on U.S. troops — matters that cannot be lightly dismissed. Public scrutiny in this case underscores the need for accountability and vigilance, reminding citizens that personal history and character are inextricably linked to public perception and trust.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – NYC’s First Lady Exposed Approving of Suicide Attack Propaganda, Plane Hijackers, and Outrageous Attacks on US Troops
THE WESTERN JOURNAL – NYC’s First Lady Exposed Approving of Suicide Attack Propaganda, Plane Hijackers, and Outrageous Attacks on US Troops
THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON – Zohran Mamdani’s Wife Celebrated Palestinian Terrorists, Including Plane Hijacker, In Social Media Posts From Early Adulthood
