Case
Was Laura Loomer justified in calling Zohran Mamdani a "jihadist"?
Loomer calls Mamdani a jihadist, disputes Trump's rejection of the label and repeats it in October. Alex Thurston condemns her usage as racist and anti-Muslim.
Alex Thurston
Alex Thurston is an associate professor in the University of Cincinnati's School of Public and International Affairs. He studies Islam and politics in northwest Africa and writes the Sawahil newsletter. His books examine Salafism in Nigeria, Boko Haram and jihadist movements in North Africa and the Sahel.
Also known as Alexander Thurston, Alexander John ThurstonWebsite (opens in a new tab)
Published cases
Statements by Alex Thurston
Alex Thurston
Role at the time: University of Cincinnati scholar of Islam and politics; author of Sawahil
Condemned
Response to this claim
Loomer's use of jihadist to describe Mamdani is racist and anti-Muslim abuse.
“but ultimately she just uses the term “jihadist” as one of several synonyms for “outsider.” It’s unadulterated racism and anti-Muslim hatred.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Zohran Mamdani's Right-Wing Haters and the Declining Viability of "Jihadist" as an Academic TermParagraph beginning In Loomer's rants, following quotations of her October 2025 broadcast
Why we used this label
Thurston expressly condemns Loomer's use of the label. His criticism of the rhetoric goes beyond disputing whether a descriptive term fits Mamdani.
Topics in this coverage
- Islamophobia
Statement dates: November 24, 2025
- October 7 Attacks
Statement dates: November 24, 2025
- Political Violence
Statement dates: November 24, 2025
- U.S. Politics
Statement dates: November 24, 2025