Zohran Mamdani’s responses on a 2009 college application were criticized by his mayoral rivals. The blowback was dismissed by his supporters as a politically motivated attack.

New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani identified as both Asian and African American on his 2009 Columbia University application, the New York Times reported Thursday, prompting anger and ridicule from many as news spread Friday. Some accused him of being a fraud while others suggested he was trying to abuse affirmative action.