Latest news with #HolyLandFive
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Awkward moment: Zohran Mamdani caught off guard as interviewer plays his 2019 rap in apron on live TV
Zohran Mamdani, while appearing on Erin Burnett OutFront, was caught off guard after the interviewer decided to play his old rap video from 2019 during the live interview on CNN. Zohran Mamdani tried to keep a straight face as an interviewer played his 2019 rap video, 'Nani.'. (Screengrab) Burnett, during her conversation with Mamdani, suddenly played a portion of the assemblyman's rap music video, 'Nani.' He had shared the video in 2019 on YouTube under the name Mr. Cardamom. In the throwback clip, Mamdani is featured alongside his friends and Indian-born British-American actress Madhur Jaffrey. Throughout the video, they dance at various places, including a food truck. At one point, Mamdani is seen rapping while wearing an apron without anything underneath. What does the interview show? During the interview, Burnett starts playing videos from Mamdani's recent campaigns, including one in which he talks about his place of birth and how he got his middle name. As the interview continues, a snippet from his appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast appears on the screen. What follows is Burnett introducing the politician's creative side and playing a portion of the rap video. As the rap continues, Mamdani, clearly caught off guard, tries to maintain his composure. However, eventually, he gives in and starts laughing. 'I didn't think it was going to be on CNN,' he says. The video is posted on the official X profile of the talk show with a caption that reads, 'Watch as #NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani watches his past performance as a rapper and responds to critics who say he's not ready to run New York. He speaks one-on-one with @ErinBurnett.' In 2017, Mamdani released a song titled Salam. In his music video, he praised five men, 'Holy Land Five'. Also Read: Philadelphia CEO questions Zohran Mamdani's goals, asks 'Who is paying for all of this?' However, they were later convicted of donating over $12 million to Hamas. The group was also found guilty of tax fraud and money laundering, in addition to supporting terrorism.
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The Independent
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Zohran Mamdani's cringe moment as CNN's Erin Burnett makes him watch his 2019 rap video
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani found himself awkwardly confronted with a resurfaced 2019 rap video during a live interview on CNN. Mamdani, 33, appeared Thursday on Erin Burnett OutFront, where the host unexpectedly reminded audiences that the New York assembly member was an aspiring rapper who went by Mr. Cardamom. Burnett played a portion of his music video 'Nani,' which is still on YouTube, as Mamdani tried to keep a straight face through the embarrassment. The clip captured Burnett, friends, and Indian -born British-American actress Madhur Jaffrey, dancing in a food truck. In one scene, Mamdani wore an apron with nothing underneath. 'Once you do it, it's out there,' Burnett told Mamdani once the clip was over. 'I didn't think it was going to be on CNN,' Mamdani quipped, with a shy smile. Elsewhere, Burnett pressed Mamdani on whether critics' concerns that he may not be 'ready now' to govern America's largest city were valid. 'I would say a campaign offers a glimpse into what an administration would look like, and we built a campaign the likes of which the city has not seen in a long time,' he responded. This isn't the first time Mamdani's attempted music career piqued public interest. In a 2017 song titled Salam, Mamdani praised the "Holy Land Five' — five men convicted in 2008 of donating over $12 million to Hamas. The group was found guilty on 108 counts, including supporting terrorism, tax fraud, and money laundering. 'My love to the Holy Land Five. You better look 'em up,' Mamdani sang as Mr. Cardamom. Mamdani's rap background hasn't exactly won over 50 Cent, however, who offered him a 'first-class one-way ticket' out of New York after the mayoral candidate proposed raising his taxes. On Wednesday, the 'In Da Club' rapper criticized Mamdani's proposal in a social media post, writing, 'Where did he come from[?] Whose friend is this? I'm not feeling this plan no.' 'I will give him $258,750 and a first class one way ticket away from NY. I'm telling [President Donald] Trump what he said too!' 50 Cent added.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
MAGA lawmaker calls for Zohran Mamdani's deportation
A far-right MAGA lawmaker has called for NYC 's rising star mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to be stripped of his citizenship after claiming he is linked to Islamic terrorism. Representative Andy Ogles, of Tennessee 's fifth district, joined the droves of politicians raging against the 33 year-old Muslim, who pulled off a major upset this week to win the Democrat primary ahead of November's New York mayoral election. 'Zohran "little muhammad" Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,' Ogles wrote on X. 'He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.' In his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles claimed Mamdani might have 'willfully' misrepresented or 'concealed' his 'support for terrorism' while obtaining his US citizenship. Mamdani, who is Muslim, was naturalized in 2018 at the age of 26 after moving to NYC from Uganda aged seven. The state lawmaker's parents are Indian and he has said that becoming a citizen was one of his proudest moments. His charisma and slick election campaign have seen him become a darling among progressive Democrats - and a target for some conservative Republicans. However, Ogles claimed that moment shouldn't have happened as Mamdani, who used to rap under the name Mr. Cardamom , had sung about the Holy Land Five. 'My love to the Holy Land Five, you better look 'em up,' he reportedly sang in a 2017 song. The Holy Land Five's foundation was shut down in 2009 after a federal judge in Dallas sentenced the five founders for funding Hamas. The five sent the terrorist group $12million in funding between 1995 and 2004, the Justice Department said. 'Publicly praising the Foundation's convicted leadership as "my guys" raises serious concern about whether Mr. Mamdani held affiliations or sympathies he failed to disclosed during the naturalization process,' Ogles wrote in his letter. 'If an individual publicly glorifies a group convicted of financing terrorism, it is entirely appropriate for federal authorities to inquire whether that individual engaged in non-public forms of support - such as organizational affiliation, fundraising, or advocacy.' Those forms of support would need to be disclosed on Form N-400 on during the citizenship process. He also said that Mamdani has had plenty of opportunity to make his political support clear to Americans and especially New Yorkers while on the campaign trail. Mamdani was constantly asked about Israel and his previous Pro-Palestine support while campaigning for the Democrat nominee slot. The Democratic socialist has previously said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he stepped foot in the Big Apple and has stated he believed Israel had a 'right to exist as a state with equal rights.' Particularly controversial was his use and defense of the phrase 'globalize the intifada.' Intifada is a Palestinian word for struggle, but some Jews and Israel supporters claim it is used to encourage anti-Semitic violence He has faced backlash for his refusal to say Israel should remain a Jewish State and that his first international trip as NYC mayor would not be to Israel. Mamdani stated during a debate that he would stay in New York and focus on city residents. Mamdani has made it clear he supports Jewish New Yorkers and campaigned in synagogues across the city ahead of the Democrat primary earlier this week. 'While political speech in isolation is not dispositive, in light of earlier expressions of admiration for individuals convicted of supporting terrorism, a troubling pattern emerges that warrants formal scrutiny,' Ogles continued in his call for Mamdani to be thrown out of the country. 'The federal government must uphold public trust by ensuring that citizenship is not granted under false pretenses.' Mamdani appeared thrilled with recent criticism from President Trump himself and is now seen as a rising star of the Democrat party. If Mamdani wins in the general election in November, he will be the first Muslim and Indian mayor of NYC. Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani and Ogles for comment. Mamdani ran on a platform that promises affordability to the second most expensive city in the world. He plans to provide free public buses, city-owned grocery stores that will offer cheaper prices, and free universal childcare, among others. He won the primary on Tuesday, beating out former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded on election night after only picking up 36.4 percent of the votes. Mamdani garnered 43.5 percent of the first-round votes. New York City uses ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to list up to five candidates on their ballots. Final results for rounds two to five are expected to come in on Tuesday. Although Mamdani did not officially win the primary - as he would have needed over 50 percent of the votes to do so - it is expected that he will still win after the other rounds are tallied. Cuomo may still run in November's election as an independent, although sources claim he knows he's beaten and plans to take a dignified step back. Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Since his win, President Donald Trump has branded Mamdani as a '100 percent Communist lunatic' and criticized his fellow Democratic socialist endorsers, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. During a debate, Mamdani promised to be Trump's 'worst nightmare.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Hardline MAGA loyalist launches extraordinary effort to DEPORT Muslim NYC Mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani
A far-right MAGA lawmaker has called for NYC 's rising star mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to be stripped of his citizenship after claiming he is linked to Islamic terrorism. Representative Andy Ogles, of Tennessee 's fifth district, joined the droves of politicians raging against the 33 year-old Muslim, who pulled off a major upset this week to win the Democrat primary ahead of November's New York mayoral election. 'Zohran "little muhammad" Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,' Ogles wrote on X. 'He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.' In his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles claimed Mamdani might have 'willfully' misrepresented or 'concealed' his 'support for terrorism' while obtaining his US citizenship. Mamdani, who is Muslim, was naturalized in 2018 at the age of 26 after moving to NYC from Uganda aged seven. The state lawmaker's parents are Indian and he has said that becoming a citizen was one of his proudest moments. His charisma and slick election campaign have seen him become a darling among progressive Democrats - and a target for some conservative Republicans. However, Ogles claimed that moment shouldn't have happened as Mamdani, who used to rap under the name Mr. Cardamom, had sung about the Holy Land Five. 'My love to the Holy Land Five, you better look 'em up,' he reportedly sang in a 2017 song. The Holy Land Five's foundation was shut down in 2009 after a federal judge in Dallas sentenced the five founders for funding Hamas. The five sent the terrorist group $12million in funding between 1995 and 2004, the Justice Department said. 'Publicly praising the Foundation's convicted leadership as "my guys" raises serious concern about whether Mr. Mamdani held affiliations or sympathies he failed to disclosed during the naturalization process,' Ogles wrote in his letter. 'If an individual publicly glorifies a group convicted of financing terrorism, it is entirely appropriate for federal authorities to inquire whether that individual engaged in non-public forms of support - such as organizational affiliation, fundraising, or advocacy.' Those forms of support would need to be disclosed on Form N-400 on during the citizenship process. He also said that Mamdani has had plenty of opportunity to make his political support clear to Americans and especially New Yorkers while on the campaign trail. Mamdani was constantly asked about Israel and his previous Pro-Palestine support while campaigning for the Democrat nominee slot. The Democratic socialist has previously said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he stepped foot in the Big Apple and has stated he believed Israel had a 'right to exist as a state with equal rights.' Particularly controversial was his use and defense of the phrase 'globalize the intifada.' Intifada is a Palestinian word for struggle, but some Jews and Israel supporters claim it is used to encourage anti-Semitic violence He has faced backlash for his refusal to say Israel should remain a Jewish State and that his first international trip as NYC mayor would not be to Israel. Mamdani stated during a debate that he would stay in New York and focus on city residents. Mamdani has made it clear he supports Jewish New Yorkers and campaigned in synagogues across the city ahead of the Democrat primary earlier this week. 'While political speech in isolation is not dispositive, in light of earlier expressions of admiration for individuals convicted of supporting terrorism, a troubling pattern emerges that warrants formal scrutiny,' Ogles continued in his call for Mamdani to be thrown out of the country. 'The federal government must uphold public trust by ensuring that citizenship is not granted under false pretenses.' Mamdani appeared thrilled with recent criticism from President Trump himself and is now seen as a rising star of the Democrat party. If Mamdani wins in the general election in November, he will be the first Muslim and Indian mayor of NYC. Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani and Ogles for comment. Mamdani ran on a platform that promises affordability to the second most expensive city in the world. He plans to provide free public buses, city-owned grocery stores that will offer cheaper prices, and free universal childcare, among others. He won the primary on Tuesday, beating out former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded on election night after only picking up 36.4 percent of the votes. Mamdani garnered 43.5 percent of the first-round votes. New York City uses ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to list up to five candidates on their ballots. Final results for rounds two to five are expected to come in on Tuesday. Although Mamdani did not officially won the primary - as he would have needed over 50 percent of the votes to do so - it is expected that he will still win after the other rounds are tallied. Cuomo may still run in November's election as an independent, although sources claim he knows he's beaten and plans to take a dignified step back. Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Cuomo could reappear on the November general election ballot as an independent, but it largely expected that he will not, leaving Mamdani to face incumbent Eric Adams and a few others. Since his win, President Donald Trump has branded Mamdani as a '100 percent Communist lunatic' and criticized his fellow Democratic socialist endorsers, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
![Zohran Mamdani: Embarrassment for NYC Mayoral Candidate after His Rap Video Is Played During Live Interview [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.ibtimes.sg%2Fen%2Ffull%2F82218%2Fzohran-mamdani.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Zohran Mamdani: Embarrassment for NYC Mayoral Candidate after His Rap Video Is Played During Live Interview [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fibtimes.sg.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
International Business Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Zohran Mamdani: Embarrassment for NYC Mayoral Candidate after His Rap Video Is Played During Live Interview [WATCH]
It was quite an embarrassment. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's 2019 rap video unexpectedly gained national attention on Thursday night during a cringe-worthy moment in a live CNN interview that visibly left the New York City mayoral candidate uncomfortable. Mamdani was a guest on Erin Burnett OutFront, where the host kicked off his segment by playing the low-budget hip-hop video he released under the stage name "Mr. Cardamom," putting the 33-year-old progressive politician in an awkward spotlight. The Queens assemblyman winced and shifted uncomfortably as the video was played without his knowledge as he trying to brush off the embarrassing flashback to his short-lived rap career with a very shaky laugh. In Discomfort Zone "Once you do it, it's out there," Burnett said to Mamdani. "It's there. Didn't think it was going to be on CNN," Mamdani said through a wincing smile. Burnett then challenged Mamdani, giving him the chance to respond to the critics who claim he's "not ready yet" to take on the role of New York City mayor. "I would say a campaign offers a glimpse into what an administration would look like, and we built a campaign the likes of which the city has not seen in a long time," Mamdani replied, eliding over Mr. Cardamom's performance entirely. Mamdani's mild political statements on Thursday were a stark contrast to the bold lyrics he once rapped under his stage name — some of which openly supported organizations that backed the terrorist group Hamas. In his 2017 song "Holy Land Five," the Democratic mayoral hopeful praised five people associated with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development. These men, known as the "Holy Land Five," were convicted in 2008 for funneling over $12 million to Hamas. Questionable Past Threat to Political Career "My love to the Holy Land Five. You better look 'em up," Mamdani as Mr. Cardamom sang in a song called "Salam." The five men — Shukri Abu Baker, Mohammad El-Mezain, Ghassan Elashi, Mufid Abdulqader, and Abdulrahman Odeh — were found guilty by the U.S. Justice Department on 108 charges, including providing material support to terrorism, tax evasion, and money laundering. Mamdani, whose rap skills have drawn criticism, got a reality check from none other than New York rapper 50 Cent, who publicly offered the socialist candidate $258,000 to exit the mayoral race and permanently leave New York.
