Conservative news outlet Just the News on 1 July published a lengthy investigation arguing that Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for New York City mayor, is a committed communist despite describing himself as a democratic socialist. The article catalogues a series of Mamdani’s past social-media posts, speeches and political alliances that praise Marxist figures, endorse the 1917 Russian Revolution and advocate for “seizing the means of production.” The story revived criticism first aired last week by former President Donald Trump, who labelled Mamdani a “100 % Communist Lunatic” after the candidate won the Democratic primary. Right-leaning commentators quickly echoed the charge, while National Review accused mainstream outlets of downplaying Mamdani’s record. Mamdani rejected the accusation during an NBC Meet the Press appearance on 29 June, saying, “No, I am not,” and stressing that his policies focus on affordable housing and workers’ rights. Fact-checking site PolitiFact likewise rated claims that Mamdani is a communist as “False,” noting he has not called for nationalizing industry or abolishing private property. The dispute leaves Democrats defending a high-profile nominee whose self-described democratic-socialist agenda—backed by the Democratic Socialists of America—has fueled attacks from Republicans eager to cast the party as lurching toward the far left. New York City’s general mayoral election is scheduled for 4 November.