New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s social media history has drawn renewed scrutiny after reports indicated he repeatedly posted images of the rap group The Diplomats (Dipset) on July 4 from 2021 through 2024. The group’s lyrics and public statements have previously generated controversy for their references to September 11 hijacker Mohamed Atta and comparisons to the Taliban.
The resurfacing of these posts coincides with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and ongoing debates regarding Mamdani’s rhetoric on Israel, Hamas, and the experiences of Muslim Americans. In 2025, following his nomination for mayor, Mamdani ceased using the Dipset imagery for Independence Day posts, switching to photos of local community events.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics, including conservative commentators and political opponents, characterize the posts as a “dog whistle” signaling sympathy for the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks. They point to the Diplomats’ 2002 lyric, “I worship the prophet / The great Mohammed Omar Atta / For his courage behind the wheel of the plane,” and Juelz Santana’s subsequent interview with New Musical Express where he praised Atta’s “courage” and questioned American foreign policy.
Opponents also highlight the group’s self-description as the “Dipset Taliban” and “Harlem’s Al-Qaeda” on their 2003 album “Diplomatic Immunity.” Critics argue that Mamdani’s decision to use this specific imagery on Independence Day, a holiday commemorating American sovereignty, was tone-deaf or intentionally provocative. They note the change in Mamdani’s posting habits after becoming a major-party nominee as evidence that the previous symbolism was politically untenable once he sought broader electoral appeal.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters and Mamdani’s allies argue that the criticism misinterprets artistic expression and political symbolism. They note that Mamdani’s use of the Dipset image, which features member Juelz Santana in American flag-themed attire, was intended to celebrate New York City’s diverse cultural heritage and the specific neighborhood of Harlem. Allies point out that Mamdani has consistently framed his political platform around the protection of civil liberties and the rejection of Islamophobia, emphasizing that his past social media choices reflected a celebration of local culture rather than an endorsement of terrorism.
Additionally, defenders highlight Mamdani’s 2017 song “Salaam,” describing it as a personal artistic exploration of the Muslim American experience rather than a political manifesto. They argue that the controversy is a dog whistle designed to question the patriotism of a Muslim leader, noting that Mamdani has explicitly rejected interpretations of his phrase “globalizing the intifada” as an endorsement of violence, stating it was a call for Palestinian rights.
What the Numbers Show
A review of Mamdani’s social media history, first reported by Just The News and highlighted by the Daily Wire, shows the Dipset “Dipset Anthem” image was posted with a “Happy 4th” caption in 2021, 2023, and 2024. In 2025, the imagery changed to photographs from a Democratic Club barbecue in Queens. The Diplomats’ controversial lyric involving Mohamed Atta was altered before the album’s release to refer to Muhammad Ali instead. In 2017, Mamdani released a track titled “Salaam” referencing the “Holy Land Five,” convicted of providing material support to Hamas.
The Bottom Line
The resurgence of these posts underscores the intense scrutiny facing Mamdani as New York City’s first Muslim mayor during the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The debate centers on the interpretation of cultural symbols versus political intent. Observers will watch for further statements from Mamdani regarding his past social media choices and how he navigates the intersection of local cultural identity and national security narratives in the coming months.