Fact Check: Does Mamdani have the lowest approval rating, making him NYC's most unfavorable mayor?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A viral rumor has been circulating on social media platforms over the last few days, claiming that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani now holds the lowest approval rating, making him the city's most unfavorable mayor.

The claim has sparked mixed reactions online, with many calling for a fact check to verify its accuracy.

Claim: Zohran Mamdani holds the lowest approval rating

According to the viral claim, Mamdani now holds the lowest approval rating and the highest unfavorable rating of any recent New York mayor at this point in their term.

The post, which surfaced on X, has garnered more than a million views as of this writing, along with tens of thousands of likes and shares.

The comments under the post suggest a mixed reaction, with many appearing to believe it to be true, while others questioned the authenticity of the claim, prompting a fact check.

Fact Check: The claim is misleading

The claim, however, is not true. While Mamdani's initial approval rating trails those of his immediate predecessors, he does not hold the lowest approval rating or the highest unfavorable rating.

Polls from April 2026, including those conducted by Marist and Emerson, show approval ratings that remain net positive. Marist found 48% approval and 30% disapproval, while Emerson reported 43% approval and 27% disapproval.

With a significant share of respondents remaining undecided, these numbers place Mamdani roughly in the middle of the pack historically at around 100 days into his term.

While these figures are not particularly strong, they remain net positive and do not support the claim that he has the worst ratings on record. Therefore, the claim is rated as misleading.

The survey, conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, is the first high-quality, nonpartisan poll to capture New Yorkers' views of Mamdani since he took office in January.

Zohran Mamdani faces scrutiny over Israel Day Parade absence

The claim appears to have gained traction after Mamdani chose not to participate in the city's annual Israel Day Parade, a departure from a long-standing political tradition.

Addressing reporters at a press conference, Mamdani said he would not attend the event, adding that he had made his views on the Israeli government "abundantly clear."

Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israeli government policies, particularly in relation to the war in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians.

In May, he also released a video marking the Nakba, which refers to the displacement of an estimated 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that coincided with the establishment of the State of Israel.