Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 28, 2025 · Entertainment

Champagne Socialist Zohran Mamdani's Lavish Wedding Raises Eyebrows

Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (pictured left) recently celebrated his wedding to his artist wife Rama Duwaji (pictured right) at a lavish compound owned by his family in Uganda

SHOCKING UNION: Socialist Mayoral Candidate's Lavish Wedding Exposed - Critics Call Out Hypocrisy

In a jaw-dropping display of opulence, Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old socialist candidate who recently won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, has been accused of hypocrisy after celebrating his wedding to his artist wife, Rama Duwaji, in a lavish compound owned by his family in Uganda. The three-day extravaganza, held in the wealthy Buziga Hill area of Kampala, was attended by armed and masked security guards, who blocked President Yoweri Museveni's motorcade from visiting to pay respects to the family of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who had recently passed away.

The wedding party, which went past midnight, was a stark contrast to the socialist candidate's campaign rhetoric about economic inequality and social justice. The festivities were so extravagant that they reportedly included a cellphone-jamming system, leaving some attendees wondering if it was a joke or a genuine attempt to avoid scrutiny. When asked for comment, Mamdani's team refused to respond.

The state assemblyman (pictured left) recently took a break from the campaign to visit Uganda, where he was born and spent the first few years of his life being raised by his filmmaker mother Mira Nair (pictured center) and academic father Mahmood Mamdani (pictured right)

Mamdani's opponent in the primary, Andrew Cuomo, couldn't resist poking fun at his rival's lavish lifestyle by asking his followers on X whether the wedding was an example of "champagne socialism" or "trust fund socialism." While some may see it as a lighthearted jab, others are taking it seriously, pointing out that Mamdani has built a campaign around policies that aim to redistribute wealth and address economic disparities.

Rama Duwaji, the 27-year-old illustrator who met Mamdani on Hinge, had been relatively low-key during her husband's campaign trail. However, she made a stunning appearance on stage when Mamdani celebrated his victory in the primary election, beaming with pride as he kissed her hand and addressed her as "Rama." The potential future First Lady of New York City has spoken about her love for Palestine-themed artwork, which has appeared in galleries such as London's Tate Modern.

However, according to a spokesperson for Mamdani's campaign, Duwaji was actually born in Texas, not Damascus, as she had listed on her Instagram bio. Some have questioned whether this was an attempt to downplay her connections to Israel or Palestine, given the sensitive nature of these issues in the context of New York City politics.

Andrew Cuomo (pictured left) - still in the mayoral race as an independent following his primary defeat to Mamdani (pictured right) - attempted to poke fun at his rival

Mamdani's critics have been quick to point out that his wedding celebration is at odds with his campaign promises. "If you take a look at Twitter today, or any day for that matter, you know how vicious politics can be," Mamdani wrote on Instagram after facing backlash over his wife's background and the lavish nature of their wedding. However, this argument rings hollow to many, who see it as an attempt to deflect attention from legitimate questions about his experience and policies.

In a surprising twist, Duwaji's artwork has appeared in numerous galleries and news outlets, including the Washington Post and BBC. Her pro-Palestine animations have sparked controversy, with some critics labeling them anti-Semitic. However, others see her work as an expression of solidarity with a community facing oppression and violence.

As for Mamdani's qualifications to lead New York City, many are scratching their heads. While he has touted his experience as a state assemblyman, his legislative record is thin, and his proposed policies have been met with skepticism by some experts. Critics argue that his lack of experience would put the city at risk of descending into chaos.

In a poll posted to X, he asked his followers to vote on whether Mamdani's three-day wedding was 'champagne socialism' or 'trust fund socialism'

Mamdani's opponents have accused him of promoting "permissive lawlessness" in New York City, which they claim has already been a problem during the COVID-19 crisis. However, Mamdani has responded by saying that he wants to bring about a new era for the city, one that is unencumbered by outdated policies and practices.

When asked on Good Morning America about his lack of experience, Mamdani dodged the question, turning the attention back to his campaign platform. However, many are left wondering whether this ambitious young politician is truly equipped to lead one of the world's greatest cities.

**TheScholarlyNote.com has reached out to Zohran Mamdani's team for comment on these allegations, but they have yet to respond.

The potential future First Lady of the Big Apple (pictured right) says on her Instagram bio that she is 'from Damascus', however a Mamdani (pictured left) campaign spokesperson told the New York Times that she was actually born in Texas

Rama Duwaji, 27, was thrust into the spotlight as her husband, socialist candidate for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won the Democratic primary