Jeremy Corbyn campaigned in support of a New York City Mayoral candidate branded a “communist” by President Donald Trump.
Mr Corbyn, who in 2018 said that President Trump’s “attempts to decide” who would become the UK’s next Prime Minister was “entirely unacceptable interference in our democracy,” hosted a phone bank for Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat Candidate in the New York City Mayoral election.
The independent MP for Islington North had the whip suspended when he was a member of Labour over his handling of alleged antisemitism in the party. Writing on social media, he encouraged people to help “get Zohran over the finish line” just two days before polling day in the American City, with the express intention of “hosting a phone bank […] to Get Out The Vote”.
The U.S Department of Justice is reportedly reviewing concerns about foreign election interference, after US Assistant Attorney General, Harmeet Dhillon, told the Sun that his phone bank could fall foul of strict US election laws.
However, Federal Election Commission (FEC) guidance states that foreign nationals, such as Mr Corbyn, “may participate in campaign activities as an uncompensated volunteer”.
The Express understands that Mr Corbyn voluntarily gave a ten-minute speech to volunteers about participating in a phone-banking session. He told the Express that Zohran’s election would be “seismic” for the US and “all those around the world who want to see an anti-racist pro-Palestinian politician elected to the most senior office in one of the world’s most diverse cities.”
He added: “These are exciting times for the people of New York and around the world.”
After he appeared at the fundraiser, Andrew Cuomo said online that “having Jeremy Corbyn – someone whose party was found to have committed unlawful acts of discrimination against Jewish people under his leadership – phone-banking for [Mamdani] says everything you need to know”.
Mr Cuomo was defeated in the primary to become the Democrat candidate for Mayor, and is now standing as an independent. He added: “NY doesn’t need politics of moral compromise. We need leadership that rejects antisemitism, extremism, and division in every form and in every corner.”
The New York Post reported that Mamdani has “repeatedly faced allegations of being antisemitic over his vocal advocacy against Israel and the war in Gaza, with many New York Jewish leaders fearing his possible win on election night could threaten to encourage antisemitism in the city”.
Earlier this week, Mr Trump called him a “communist candidate” on his Truth Social account.
Mr Mamdani was contacted for comment.
