Elon Musk has landed in controversy over his latest remarks, as people said he is being "racist" purposely against "coloured people." The backlash of the billionaire started after he misspelt the New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani 's name while endorsing his rival, Andrew Cuomo.
'Racist' Musk?
Taking to X, Musk urged voters to back Cuomo, writing: "Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is. Vote Cuomo!"
He further added that voting for Republican Curtis Sliwa would effectively help Mamdani, who has surged in polls while focusing on key issues like child care, housing affordability and more.
Cuomo is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the primary; meanwhile, Sliwa is also in the race. Musk's statement came ahead of voting on November 4 for the mayoral race.
Wave of criticism
Musk's remark is being widely seen as mocking Mamdani's Indian name, triggering a wave of criticism. "You can sorely dislike one's policies, but butchering a person's name on purpose is a third-rate, middle-schooler tactic. Oh wait…," said Crstl Tech CEO Dipti Desai.
British-American broadcaster and writer Mehdi Hasan added, "You can take the boy out of apartheid, but can you take the apartheid out of the boy?"
Social media users attacked Musk for his comment, calling him "racist" and "childish," noting a pattern where non-white names are deliberately mispronounced or ridiculed. "One of the easiest tells that someone is racist is when they purposely mispronounce coloured people's names that are actually very easy to read," wrote one user.
"One of the easiest tells that someone is racist is when they purposely mispronounce coloured people's names that are actually very easy to read," an X used said.
"When Elon messes up your name you sure know you’re winning and he isn’t happy about it but can’t stop it," another wrote in the comments.
"Musk, why are you so obsessed with propping up rapists and washed-up predators?" one asked. "Also — it’s Zohran Mamdani, but I get it… names that aren't white or billionaire-adjacent must short-circuit your apartheid-brain wiring."
Rivals struggle with Mamdani's name
Mamdani, the 34-year-old son of India-origin Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, could become New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected. His rivals — Cuomo and Sliwa — have also repeatedly struggled with the pronunciation of his name during campaign events and debates.
The backlash adds to Musk’s growing list of controversies on X, where his political endorsements and inflammatory remarks often fuel public outrage — this time over what many see as a disrespectful, racially charged dig at a rising progressive figure.
If elected, the 34-year-old Mamdani, son of India-origin Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, could become New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
Previously, Mamdani's rivals, Cuomo and Sliwa, have also struggled with the pronunciation of his name during campaign events and debates.
Trump's 'no funds' for NYC warning
Just a day before the mayoral election, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to voters, saying that if Zohran Mamdani wins, the city will lose federal funds.
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote: "If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home."
"It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don't want to send, as President, good money after bad," he said, calling Mamdani's leadership a "Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster." He added that Mamdani's "principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful."
'Racist' Musk?
Taking to X, Musk urged voters to back Cuomo, writing: "Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is. Vote Cuomo!"
Remember to vote tomorrow in New York!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2025
Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is.
VOTE CUOMO!
He further added that voting for Republican Curtis Sliwa would effectively help Mamdani, who has surged in polls while focusing on key issues like child care, housing affordability and more.
Cuomo is running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the primary; meanwhile, Sliwa is also in the race. Musk's statement came ahead of voting on November 4 for the mayoral race.
Wave of criticism
Musk's remark is being widely seen as mocking Mamdani's Indian name, triggering a wave of criticism. "You can sorely dislike one's policies, but butchering a person's name on purpose is a third-rate, middle-schooler tactic. Oh wait…," said Crstl Tech CEO Dipti Desai.
British-American broadcaster and writer Mehdi Hasan added, "You can take the boy out of apartheid, but can you take the apartheid out of the boy?"
Social media users attacked Musk for his comment, calling him "racist" and "childish," noting a pattern where non-white names are deliberately mispronounced or ridiculed. "One of the easiest tells that someone is racist is when they purposely mispronounce coloured people's names that are actually very easy to read," wrote one user.
"One of the easiest tells that someone is racist is when they purposely mispronounce coloured people's names that are actually very easy to read," an X used said.
"When Elon messes up your name you sure know you’re winning and he isn’t happy about it but can’t stop it," another wrote in the comments.
"Musk, why are you so obsessed with propping up rapists and washed-up predators?" one asked. "Also — it’s Zohran Mamdani, but I get it… names that aren't white or billionaire-adjacent must short-circuit your apartheid-brain wiring."
Rivals struggle with Mamdani's name
Mamdani, the 34-year-old son of India-origin Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, could become New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected. His rivals — Cuomo and Sliwa — have also repeatedly struggled with the pronunciation of his name during campaign events and debates.
The backlash adds to Musk’s growing list of controversies on X, where his political endorsements and inflammatory remarks often fuel public outrage — this time over what many see as a disrespectful, racially charged dig at a rising progressive figure.
If elected, the 34-year-old Mamdani, son of India-origin Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, could become New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
Previously, Mamdani's rivals, Cuomo and Sliwa, have also struggled with the pronunciation of his name during campaign events and debates.
Trump's 'no funds' for NYC warning
Just a day before the mayoral election, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to voters, saying that if Zohran Mamdani wins, the city will lose federal funds.
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote: "If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home."
"It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don't want to send, as President, good money after bad," he said, calling Mamdani's leadership a "Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster." He added that Mamdani's "principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful."
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