Elham Asaad Buaras
Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, faced widespread backlash after sharing a post that appeared to link New York City’s Muslim mayor to the September 11 attacks.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was recently photographed breaking his Ramadan fast with New Yorkers at City Hall. On March 12, Tuberville shared an image from the far-right social media account End Wokeness juxtaposing Mamdani at the Ramadan gathering with a photo of the 9/11 attacks, captioned: “Less than 25 years apart.” He added: “the enemy is inside the gates.”
The post drew immediate condemnation from Democrats, who labelled it overtly racist. “Senator Tuberville’s post on Mayor Mamdani is nothing less than blatant Islamophobic racism,” wrote Senator Bernie Sanders. “Not only should Tuberville apologise, but the Republican leadership should strongly condemn this kind of ugly behaviour. We must fight racism of all kinds, not condone it.” California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his disapproval in more colourful terms, posting on X: “Tommy Tuberville proves to the world that a football hitting your head can turn you into a racist piece of s***. Congrats, Tommy.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand labelled the post “disgraceful and unbecoming of a senator” and demanded Tuberville remove it. Meanwhile, Senator Raphael Warnock appealed to their shared Christian faith: “No, Senator. Bigotry is the enemy inside. It sickens the soul that carries it and corrupts the nation that embraces it. Brother, as my Christian faith and yours teaches, LOVE is the only way.”
Senator Chris Murphy described the post as “vicious” and “racist,” asking: “How broken a human being do you have to be to post something like this?” Murphy said. “The fact that the Republican Party has allowed into its mainstream vicious, overt racists like Senator Tuberville says a lot about this party. I just want you to know that there’s going to be more of this s***.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called Tuberville a “coward,” saying he had repeatedly refused requests to meet with Alabama Muslims. “Reminder: Alabama Muslims have spent over a year offering to privately meet with @SenTuberville and answer any tough questions he wants to ask. He has never done so b/c he’s not only an un-American bigot desperate to resurrect the ghost of George Wallace,” CAIR posted on X. “He’s also a coward.”
Mayor Mamdani responded without directly addressing Tuberville, posting: “Let there be as much outrage from politicians in Washington when kids go hungry as there is when I break bread with New Yorkers.” Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared Mamdani’s message without comment.
Despite widespread criticism, Tuberville received support from some Republicans. Congressman Brandon Gill of Texas posted an image of Mamdani at City Hall, commenting: “stomach churning. Truly repulsive.” Congressman Andy Ogles shared one of Tuberville’s posts attacking “Radical Islamists,” declaring: “I’m a Tommy Tuberville Conservative.”
Tuberville insisted his post did not equate Islam with extremism, but claimed “radical” Islam — which he implied includes celebrating Ramadan — is a “CULT” and that “Islamists” are “the enemy.”“To be clear, I didn’t suggest Islamists are the enemy. I said it plainly,” he wrote in response to a Politico headline. After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused him of peddling “mindless hate” and Islamophobia, Tuberville doubled down on X, posting about Sharia law and insisting he would not be silenced. “Calling Radical Islam out for being a CULT doesn’t make you an ‘Islamophobe.’ Radical Islamists chant ‘death to America’ and would love to see every Christian and Jew murdered. Under Sharia Law, if you are not a Muslim, you are the ENEMY. Under Sharia Law, minorities are PERSECUTED. Under Sharia Law, women are SOLD, RAPED, and TRAFFICKED,” he wrote. Tuberville added: “Radical Islam is NOT compatible with the Constitution and has NO PLACE IN AMERICA. I won’t be silenced about this.”
Schumer defended Mamdani’s Ramadan gathering, posting: “Our Declaration of Independence says it best: ‘ALL men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ In this case that means hosting an Iftar Ramadan meal celebrated with the man who was chosen by a strong majority of New York voters, @ZohranKMamdani. That is called AMERICAN democracy. And trust me, nobody is silencing you – you never stop running your mouth.”
Feature photo: Collage using Senator Tommy Tuberville post that appeared to link New York City’s Muslim mayor to the September 11 attacks. (Credit: The Muslim News: AI)
