White House deletes Knicks logo post mocking Zohran Mamdani after NYC mayoral win
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The White House has deleted a controversial social media post that used the New York Knicks logo to mock newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following his victory on Tuesday night.
Multiple reports confirm that the post was removed from the White House’s official X account just hours after it went live. The image featured a photoshopped version of the Knicks’ orange and blue logo reading “Trump Is Your President,” an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s ongoing feud with Mamdani.
The incident followed the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist’s narrow victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, with 50.4 percent of the vote. Cuomo received 41.6 percent, while Republican Curtis Sliwa trailed with 7.1 percent.
The Knicks reached out to the White House after it used their logo to mock NYC’s mayor-elect — the post was later deleted, per @FOS pic.twitter.com/6Oy9U0sFfF
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2025
Knicks demand deletion after logo misuse
By Wednesday morning, the post had been removed. Sports outlet Front Office Sports reported that the White House voluntarily deleted the image after being contacted by the Knicks organization.
“The Knicks remain neutral on political matters,” the team said in a statement. “We hope all our elected officials, whether current or recently elected, do a great job in office.”
The team’s statement followed intervention by its legal team. The NBA franchise had demanded the post’s removal, citing unauthorized use of the team’s branding.
Donald Trump’s feud with Zohran Mamdani intensifies
Mamdani’s victory represents a major political upset and a direct rebuke to Trump, who had previously threatened to arrest and deport the Uganda-born American if he won. “I would much rather see a Democrat, who has had a Record of Success, WIN, than a Communist with no experience and a Record of COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social days before the election, endorsing Cuomo instead.
Mamdani campaigned on progressive policies addressing housing affordability and workers’ rights and is now set to become New York City’s youngest and first Muslim mayor.
President Trump rails against mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Truth, calling him a “TOTAL FAILURE” with a subtle nod and compliment forCuomo, adding he’s a “Democrat, who has a Record of Success.” pic.twitter.com/iCL5vQ6ze3
— Craig McCarthy (@createcraig) November 3, 2025
Knicks also warned Zohran Mamdani before election
Earlier, Mamdani faced similar backlash from the Knicks. His campaign ran a basketball-themed ad featuring a modified Knicks logo reading “New York Zohran,” which aired during the team’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor…We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights”
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 24, 2025
Knicks send Zohran cease & desist letter over logo pic.twitter.com/ZNCfQEYPvR
“The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor…We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights,” the team said in a cease and desist letter, according to The New York Post. Mamdani’s campaign promptly pulled the ad.
Mamdani keeps a low profile before historic win
Days before the election, Mamdani appeared quietly at Madison Square Garden, sitting in the upper stands during the Knicks’ 128–116 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The moment, largely unnoticed at the time, now serves as a poetic full circle for the city’s new mayor and the team whose logo has twice become entangled in political controversy.
