New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew criticism from Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino after posting an Italian Heritage Month tribute to former U.S. Rep. Vito Marcantonio.
In a post on X, Mamdani said he hoped to continue fighting for Marcantonio’s vision of a government that works for working people. Marcantonio represented East Harlem for seven terms, first as a Republican and later with the American Labor Party, according to Fox News.
Paladino objected to Mamdani’s choice, describing Marcantonio as a communist and accusing the mayor of promoting communist propaganda. She argued that New York has many Italian Americans whose contributions could have been recognized instead. Paladino also urged Mamdani to stop invoking his Italian heritage.
In her post, Paladino cited her family’s experience: She said her father fought in World War II against Italian forces under Benito Mussolini, and her mother raised five children while working in a button factory. She presented those experiences as representing her understanding of Italian-American identity.
Fox News reported that Marcantonio opposed U.S. involvement in the Korean War and did legal work for the Communist Party, prompting FBI attention during the Cold War. The report said the bureau maintained files on him.
The criticism reflects a dispute over Mamdani’s choice of historical figure and the meaning of the tribute. The source report said Mamdani’s office had not immediately responded to a request for comment. The exchange occurred in October 2026, during Italian Heritage Month.
