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Snopes Debunker

13 rumors about Zohran Mamdani, investigated

In January, Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, will make history as New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor.

Multiple rumors about Mamdani have made the rounds online, including an alleged "ISIS" endorsement of his campaign and a claim that his proposed city-run grocery stores wouldn’t sell alcohol, cigarettes or lottery tickets.

We investigated 13 of the top claims. Read our full story to see what's true and what isn't.

Unpacking claim photo shows US flag touching the ground at White House

According to the United States flag code, the national flag should never be allowed to touch the ground.

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At Snopes, we work hard every day to fact-check political claims and investigate online rumors. For example, we took a closer look at a story claiming a trail camera captured images of a wolf protecting piglets from a mountain lion (more on that later in this newsletter). We need your help to keep doing this far-ranging work. By building our membership, we will be able to continue cutting straight to the facts on any subject our readers are interested in. We appreciate any support you can give.

Real photo of Trump and Bill Clinton shared with false claim about groping

The two presidents were photographed together at the U.S. Open in 2000.

Don't fall for rumor pro-Trump Montana town lit 'pedophile bonfire' to burn MAGA merch

The claim spread after a House committee released thousands of documents related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trail camera captured wolf protecting piglets from mountain lion?

According to the story, a local farmer one night "heard panicked squeals and a roar echo through the trees." Then, he checked his trail camera.

Staff pick

Did Florida man attempt to cross the Atlantic in hamster wheel?

For the past several years, an online rumor claimed that a man from Florida tried to cross the Atlantic in a watercraft that looked like a hamster wheel, only to be stopped by the Coast Guard.

It's true. Snopes intern Will Kramer verified the story with the man at its center: Reza Baluchi. Here's what he had to say about the ambitious attempt.