Fact Check: Has NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani been banned from the United Kingdom?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A series of videos has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that there was a spat between the Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, claiming that Mamdani was banned from the UK. The claim has sparked speculation among many. Let us fact-check the viral claim.
Claim: Zohran Mamdani is banned from the United Kingdom
According to the videos circulating on social media platforms, there has been an argument between Mamdani and Starmer, in which Jorhan Mamdani allegedly said, “the UK has lost its moral compass,” prompting the prime minister to ban the mayor from the UK.
The videos claim that Mamdani 'tore into Prime Minister Keir Starmer live on international television', accusing the UK Government of 'hardening borders at the expense of vulnerable people, of breaking promises to working communities, and of dressing cruelty in the language of control when he said the UK has lost its moral compass'.
The clip then claims that 'within hours' Starmer had 'signed an order declaring Mamdani persona non grata, banned from Britain'.
The clips even look like genuine news reports, which include the voice of Sky News political editor, Beth Rigby.
Fact Check: No argument took place between Zohran Mamdani and Keir Starmer
However, there is no credible evidence that Mamdani made such a statement, and the claim that he is banned is UK is false.
The unnatural pauses and uneven cadence suggest it was likely created using AI, although it cannot be completely ruled out that it was produced through other means, such as by an impersonator.
According to the video, the incident's video went viral and dominated headlines, but there are no credible reports of any such disagreement between the two politicians, a video of such a moment, or any evidence that Mamdani has been banned from Britain.
Zohran Mamdani and Keir Starmer react to Iran strike
The claim surfaced at a time when the conflict in the Middle East had intensified following the death of Iran’s supreme leader.
Both Mamdani and Starmer had reacted to the United States’ action in the region, which was not in favour of President Donald Trump.
Mamdani described the military action as a 'catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.'
This strong reaction comes just two days after the mayor visited the White House to meet with Trump and pitch him on a housing project for the city.
Meanwhile, Starmer was accused by Trump of delaying the approval of a US request to use British military bases for strikes targeting Iranian missile sites, suggesting the hesitation was linked to legal concerns.
