Sara Mahmoud, a social media manager for Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, received at least $8,400 in campaign payments between June and July, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Mahmoud’s tenure in the role has drawn scrutiny following the discovery of archived social media posts in which she referred to Hamas members as "freedom fighters" and expressed sentiments directed at Zionists.
The posts, cataloged by the antisemitism watchdog Canary Mission, span several years and multiple aliases. Mahmoud is no longer employed by the Nixon campaign, with a spokesperson stating she left to pursue another employment opportunity. The campaign has not clarified whether it was aware of the social media history prior to hiring her.
What the Left Is Saying
The Nixon campaign has not directly addressed the specific language used in Mahmoud’s posts but noted her departure was voluntary. Angie Nixon, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has framed her criticism of Israel in humanitarian terms. "Caring about thousands of innocent lives lost does not make anyone antisemitic," Nixon said in a speech before the Florida Legislature. "You can turn your backs on me because I am on the right side of history because I don’t’ want the babies to die."
Nixon has advocated for reducing U.S. aid to Israel and reevaluating the bilateral partnership, citing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. These positions align with the DSA platform, which supports Palestinian autonomy and the "right to resist military occupation." Supporters of the progressive wing within the Democratic Party argue that criticizing Israeli government policies is distinct from antisemitism, a distinction Nixon’s team emphasizes in their broader messaging.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics point to Mahmoud’s posts as evidence of a disconnect between Democratic candidates and Jewish voters. In a 2018 post, Mahmoud wrote, "Glory and honor to our freedom fighters. Praying for their safety and success," referring to Hamas, which launched the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Another post from 2016 read, "Wow, white Jews are so entitled lmfaoooo please die." A 2015 post stated, "You’re doing exactly what Hitler did. It’s a mass genocide and ethnic cleansing that Israel is conducting."
Critics argue that the DSA’s platform, which Mahmoud’s posts align with in tone, goes beyond policy critique to question the nature of the Jewish state. The DSA website states it recognizes the "right of return" for Palestinians and the right to self-determination in a "free Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital." Conservatives view the hiring of a staffer with such a digital footprint as indicative of broader ideological trends within the progressive wing of the party.
What the Numbers Show
According to FEC filings, Mahmoud received $8,400 in payments from the Nixon campaign during the June-July period. Fox News Digital reported that additional payments in the third quarter have not yet been confirmed pending upcoming filings. The posts in question date back to 2015, with significant activity continuing through 2018 and beyond. One notable post from November 18, 2018, coincided with the day Hamas fired approximately 400 rockets into Israel. Canary Mission reports indicate Mahmoud used multiple accounts with different aliases to post these comments.
The Bottom Line
The revelation of Mahmoud’s social media history highlights the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party between progressive activists and traditional Jewish voters. While Nixon has separated her policy critiques from accusations of antisemitism, the hiring of a staffer who used strong language against Zionists and praised Hamas may influence voter perception in the general election. The campaign’s silence on whether they vetted these posts prior to hiring leaves questions about their internal processes. Further FEC filings will clarify the total compensation Mahmoud received, while the political fallout will depend on how both parties frame the issue in the final stretch of the Senate race.