Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Campaign Under Fire Over Illegal Foreign Donations [WATCH]

Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is facing scrutiny after campaign finance records indicated his campaign may have accepted more than $13,000 in potentially illegal foreign donations, according to a report published Sunday by the New York Post.

Campaign filings reviewed by the outlet showed that at least 170 of the 54,000 contributions to Mamdani’s campaign came from individuals listing addresses outside the United States.

🚨 Zohran Mamdani’s socialist mayoral campaign has taken in foreign contributions — money from outside the U.S. funneled into a race by anti-American foreign adversaries.

This is really bad. pic.twitter.com/El5I5MSn9Z

— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) October 12, 2025

Federal, state, and local election laws prohibit political candidates and political action committees from accepting donations from anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

One of the flagged donations came from Mamdani’s mother-in-law, Bariah Dardari, who lives in Dubai.

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Records from the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) show that Dardari contributed $500 to the campaign. The donation was later returned, according to the Post.

In total, Mamdani’s campaign has refunded $5,608 in contributions, including the one from Dardari.

Campaign representatives said they intend to return any additional donations that were sent from outside the United States.

“We will of course return any donations that are not in compliance with CFB law,” the campaign said in a statement to the Post on Saturday after the outlet provided a breakdown of the foreign-linked contributions.

However, the report said the campaign has not yet returned 88 of the donations identified as potentially foreign, which together amount to roughly $7,190.

According to public records, Mamdani’s campaign had raised just under $4 million in private contributions as of Sunday.

The controversy adds to growing debate over campaign finance transparency in New York City’s upcoming mayoral election.

The city’s current mayor, Eric Adams, who recently withdrew from the race, accused the Campaign Finance Board of applying its rules unevenly and favoring Mamdani’s campaign.

“When a board that doesn’t reflect the diversity of New York City enforces rules selectively, it undermines democracy,” Adams said in a post on X.

“My campaign was denied matching funds over baseless allegations, while Mamdani’s campaign received millions even after $13,000 in illegal foreign donations were uncovered. The bias is undeniable.”

When a board that doesn’t reflect the diversity of New York City enforces rules selectively, it undermines democracy.

My campaign was denied matching funds over baseless allegations, while Mamdani’s campaign received millions even after $13,000 in illegal foreign donations were… pic.twitter.com/YsSZU8gbzq

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) October 12, 2025

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also raised concerns over the alleged foreign-linked donations. Speaking to the Post, Sliwa said the issue could point to larger problems in campaign oversight.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so I would be very concerned,” Sliwa said.

“There is probably a lot more in terms of foreign money. It’s very problematic, not just for Zohran Mamdani, but anybody who has these kinds of PACs, because it’s a license to illegally funnel money. And foreign countries know you don’t have to go to war against America. All you gotta do is manipulate the election.”

Campaign finance records cited by the Post included several examples of donations from individuals who appear to live abroad.

One contribution of $250 was made in August 2025 by Ugur Macit, who reportedly resides in Germany.

Another donation of $2,500 was attributed to environmental scientist James Furlaud, based in Australia. A third donation of $2,100 came from Dubai-based investor Ada Diaz Ahmed on September 26.

Under federal law, campaign donations from foreign nationals — including individuals, corporations, or governments — are strictly prohibited in any U.S. election.

Candidates are required to verify the eligibility of donors and return any funds found to violate those restrictions.

The Campaign Finance Board has not commented publicly on the Post’s findings or whether it plans to open a formal investigation into Mamdani’s contributions.

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, secured the Democratic nomination for mayor earlier this year.

His campaign, which has been fueled by small-dollar donations and grassroots organizing, has drawn support from progressive organizations and national figures on the left.

As of Sunday, the campaign had not issued any additional statements beyond confirming that the identified foreign contributions would be returned.

The city’s Campaign Finance Board said it continues to review filings from all candidates ahead of the general election later this year.