A former Obama administration staffer, Zara Rahim, who publicly wished death on President Donald Trump in 2020 after he contracted COVID-19, has recently been hired as a communications consultant for Zohran Mamdani, the newly nominated Democratic socialist candidate for New York City mayor. According to the Washington Free Beacon, ’s controversial post stated, “It’s been against my moral identity to tweet this for the past four years, but, I hope he dies,” which she later deleted, followed by a locked account post saying, “This f—ing rules.”
Rahim, a daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants, has been actively involved in Mamdani’s campaign, helping craft videos and supporting him during media appearances such as on “Meet the Press.” Her background includes volunteering for Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, working in his Office of Digital Strategy, and serving briefly as a national spokeswoman for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid. She has also worked with high-profile clients like Mariah Carey, Netflix, Nike, Uber, and Columbia University’s Incite Institute. Notably, she was present during a controversial pro-Hamas encampment at Columbia University in spring 2024 and criticized police presence there.
Mamdani himself is a democratic socialist who has advocated for radical economic changes, including “seizing the means of production.” His campaign has drawn attention not only for his political positions but also for some of his staff’s controversial backgrounds. For example, his political director, Julian Gerson, praised an alleged killer of a United Healthcare CEO on social media, and Mamdani previously employed Matthew Thomas, who served jail time for soliciting sex from a minor.
Mamdani’s past includes criticisms of former President Obama, whom he called “pretty damn evil” in tweets from 2013, questioning Obama’s progressive credentials and honesty, particularly regarding surveillance and foreign policy. These remarks have drawn criticism from some Democratic leaders and supporters who view them as divisive. Despite this, Mamdani has gained significant support, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and becoming the frontrunner for mayor.
The campaign and its staff have not responded publicly to inquiries about these controversies. Meanwhile, some former Obama aides have defended Mamdani, urging Democrats to support their primary winners despite disagreements and highlighting that problematic statements are not unique to any one candidate.
Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign has become a focal point of political debate, involving staff with contentious histories and a candidate with a radical platform and a record of sharp critiques of establishment figures, including Barack Obama. This complex backdrop underscores the tensions within the Democratic Party as it approaches the New York City mayoral election.