Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) has publicly declared that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is a socialist rather than a genuine Democrat, accusing socialist-aligned figures of trying to "hijack" the Democratic Party's message. His comments come amid growing friction within the party over Mamdani's positions, including his controversial remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calls to abolish ICE, which some centrist Democrats see as out of step with mainstream party values.

Gottheimer criticised Mamdani for alleged "double standards" and for aligning with what he characterised as anti-American rhetoric, particularly regarding Mamdani's comments defending calls to arrest Netanyahu over accusations of war crimes. The dispute reflects a wider ongoing rift among Democrats, with other figures such as Rep. Seth Moulton and various commentators also weighing in on tensions between the party's centrist and further-left, socialist-aligned wings.