New York City’s self-professed ‘democratic socialist’ mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn backlash for attributing the recent uptick in rape reports to an expanded definition of what constitutes the crime.

In an interview with PIX11 News published on Monday, Mamdani was asked about recently released NYPD rape complaints statistics.

“A lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition of what counts as rape, as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior,” he said. He did not elaborate on what he meant.

Mamdani’s statement about the “expanded definition” likely refers to NY’s 2024 Rape is Rape Act, which broadened the definition of rape to any forced sexual intercourse. Prior to the decision, the definition was limited to non-consensual vaginal penetration with a penis.

According to NYPD crime statistics released last week, rape complaints are up 6.6% year to date. The figures cover the period from January-July, 2026, meaning the increase came well after the 2024 legislation took effect.

The remarks prompted criticism from numerous people online, including New York City Council Member Susan Zhuang.

“Expanding the legal definition of rape was an important step… but it should never be used to deflect from the responsibility to reduce sexual violence. Survivors deserve leadership, action, accountability, and justice. They don’t deserve deflection,” she wrote on X in response to a clip of the interview.

Mamdani, an openly socialist political outsider, campaigned on a platform focused on affordable housing, public ownership of utilities, and wealth taxation. He was elected last year despite little enthusiasm from fellow Democrats and fierce opposition from Republicans, including US President Donald Trump.

Trump initially described Mamdani as a “communist” and warned that New Yorkers will soon flee the city under his leadership, but moderated his rhetoric after meeting the Democrat in person last November.

However, in his July 4 speech at Mount Rushmore, Trump warned about what he called “a resurgence of the communist menace” in the US. Communism is “a mortal threat to American liberty,” he said.