The New York Times finds itself in the midst of a storm, facing criticism from both its staff and readers after it called out New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for allegedly misrepresenting his race on his Columbia University application by claiming to be Black.
Legal scholar and commentator Jonathan Turley discussed the unfolding drama on his website, shedding light on the backlash against the storied publication.
“The paper has faced condemnation from its own employees, while liberal commentators are calling for the resignation of the entire editorial team,” Turley noted. “Why? Because The New York Times had the audacity to report a story that was perceived as detrimental to the Democratic Party, specifically targeting mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.”
In response, Patrick Healy, the Times’ assistant managing editor for Standards and Trust, took to the social media platform X to clarify the situation. He stated, “When we receive news of value, we strive to verify it through direct sources. Mr. Mamdani confirmed this information in an interview with The Times.”
As the @nytimes assistant managing editor for Standards and Trust, I’ve received reader feedback regarding our reporting on Zohran Mamdani’s 2009 application to Columbia University. To provide context on how the reporting came together, I wanted to share some information:
— Patrick Healy (@patrickhealynyt) July 4, 2025
Healy’s lengthy thread gave the impression of a beleaguered employee desperately trying to appease an outraged audience. Ultimately, his clarifications seemed more like a concession to a vocal mob than a robust defense of journalistic integrity.
While The Times could not retract the story without incurring significant reputational damage, this extensive explanation served as a makeshift shield. Yet, the situation poses troubling questions about the current state of American journalism.
“For liberals, this has turned into an absolute crisis,” Turley added. “In a political landscape heavily influenced by identity politics, Mamdani’s potentially fabricated racial claim has left many unsure of how to respond. The left has historically tolerated such misrepresentations among its leaders, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s claims of Native American heritage to Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s assertions about his military service.”
Turley insightfully pointed out that many readers of The Times are emotionally charged by such revelations. He likened their outrage to the reactions often seen on college campuses when faced with opposing viewpoints.
“The reality is that the Mamdani story was evidently newsworthy—and confirmed by the candidate himself,” Turley asserted. “Mamdani identified as both Asian and African American on his 2009 application to Columbia University, as reported by The New York Times.”
The Times’ article reported: “Columbia, like many prestigious universities, utilized a race-conscious affirmative action admissions strategy at that time. Reporting his race as Black or African American, in addition to Asian, might have offered Mr. Mamdani an advantage, given his Ugandan background.”
“In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Mamdani, 33, stated that he does not identify as either Black or African American, but rather as ‘an American born in Africa.’ He explained that his responses on the college application were intended to reflect his complex heritage, not to manipulate the admissions process.”
Despite his claims, Mamdani did not gain admission to Columbia. For someone who advocates for “equality” relentlessly, doesn’t this raise significant questions? Does it not suggest potential deceit, opportunism, and a manipulative character?
Curiously, these questions were overshadowed by outrage from Times readers about Mamdani facing scrutiny as the election looms.
This incident illustrates how mainstream media may have devolved into a mere extension of the Democratic Party. It’s disheartening, especially considering that journalism should be a sacred trust.
While there is a place for opinion and analysis, conflating opinion with fact and vilifying dissenters blurs the lines of truth.
Information seems to be delivered with a fervor that resembles a heat-seeking missile, targeting anyone who stands in the way of the agenda.
The irony here is that such extreme behavior may have inadvertently contributed to the election of President Donald Trump not once, but twice. The belief that louder complaints will somehow further their political aims is misguided.
Ultimately, they are merely reinforcing to voters the very reasons they opted for Trump in the first place while simultaneously encouraging the public to approach media reports with a healthy dose of skepticism.
This article originally appeared on The Western Journal.
