TL;DR
- Rama Duwaji apologizes for past slurs.
- Tweets from 2013 were recently unearthed.
- Zohran Mamdani supports his wife’s apology.
- Duwaji reflects on the harm caused.
- Mamdani’s administration pledges LGBTQ+ support.
In a scandal that has rocked the Big Apple, Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has found herself on the hot seat after some seriously cringe-worthy tweets from her teenage years resurfaced. The tweets, which include the F-slur and the N-word, were unearthed by the right-wing site The Washington Free Beacon, and boy, did they stir the pot.
One of the offending tweets, posted in 2013, saw Duwaji responding to a user with the N-word, saying: “@_AlyaF Helllll yeah, n****. Super duper genius* excuse you.” Another gem from the same year included her lamenting, “Whyyyyyy are all these fgts following meeeeeeeee.” Talk about a major misstep!
In light of the backlash, Duwaji took to the internet to express her regret. “When a tabloid recently published old tweets I wrote as a teenager, I felt a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others; being 15 doesn’t excuse it,” she told Hyperallergic. Her words echo a sentiment many can relate to—growing up means learning from our mistakes, but some mistakes are harder to shake off than others.
Mayor Mamdani, who made history as the first Muslim mayor of New York City and the youngest since 1892, has been vocal in his support for his wife. In a separate interview, he described Duwaji as a “private person” who doesn’t hold a formal position in City Hall. He added, “She shared some of her reflections in this interview. I won’t add much to them, what I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity.” Aww, love and support in the face of controversy!
But let’s not forget the bigger picture here. Mamdani’s election campaign was built on a promise to uplift and support the LGBTQ+ community, especially in a time when queer and trans folks are facing an increasingly hostile political climate. His administration has pledged to make NYC a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ people, ensuring that gender-affirming care is accessible and creating the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs to protect the rights of marginalized communities.
On March 13, 2026, Mamdani followed through on his commitments by establishing the first Mayor’s Office for LGBTQIA+ affairs and appointing the first out trans person to lead a New York City office. Talk about a power move!
While Duwaji’s past tweets may have caused a stir, it seems both she and her husband are committed to learning and growing from the experience. As they navigate the complexities of public life and personal accountability, one thing is clear: the road to progress is paved with honesty, reflection, and a whole lot of love for the LGBTQ+ community.
https://x.com/LevineJonathan/status/2034611549172584730