Fact Check: Did Rama Duwaji divert charity funds for luxury expenses and pro-Palestine groups?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: According to a rumor circulating on social media platforms, citizen journalist Nick Shirley has found that Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has diverted charity funds to luxury expenses and pro-Palestine groups. The post has triggered criticism, concern, and questions about the claim’s authenticity.

Claim: Rama Duwaji diverted taxpayer money to luxury expenses 

The viral post that surfaced on X alleges that Nick Shirly exposed New York City’s First Lady, who diverted tens of thousands of charity dollars to luxury pro-Palestine groups.

According to the post, the findings were uncovered by tracking the taxpayer-funded finances of the NYC First Lady.

“Mrs. Mamdani isn’t trying to hide the fact that she spends tens of thousands every day on high-priced clothing, fine dining, and spa services,” Shirley allegedly said. 

“She also gives money slated for the city’s charities to pro-Palestine groups, which is probably against the law.” 

The post further claims that the NYPD or the state authorities are cooperating with Shirley.

Many appeared to believe the claim is true, sparking criticisms and conspiracy theories against Duwaji.

Fact Check: False, no credible evidence to support the claim

However, no evidence suggests that Shirley has made such a discovery, revealing taxpayer money being diverted to Duwaji’s luxury expenses.

A search on the citizen journalist’s social media handles, such as X, revealed no such findings. A Google search for the claim yielded no relevant news reports, official statements, or Shirley making such an allegation.

There are also no other reports or probes against the city’s first lady that support the viral claim.

Additionally, the X account that posted the claim is not credible, and though not explicitly a parody account, all of its posts are fake and exaggerated claims made for the sake of engagement.

Zohran Mamdani clarifies Rama Duwaji's security detail

The claim surfaced amid the dispute over Duwaji’s security ahead of her planned trip to Syria and Lebanon next month. 

According to Mamdani’s office, Duwaji would receive an NYPD security detail during her trip, but the department later clarified that it would not send officers for personal travel to countries that are under Level 4 travel advisories, which warn Americans against travelling there due to concerns about extremism.

Mamdani addressed the conflict, stating, “There was a miscommunication. She has not yet taken that trip, and when she takes that trip, it will be without any NYPD detail.”