Zohran Mamdani‘s College App Mess Shows How Privilege Works
Let’s Talk About It
College application season—it’s when even the loudest voices for fairness sometimes forget their own principles. Take Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman who calls himself a progressive. Right now, he’s caught up in a scandal that shows what happens when privilege dresses up as struggle. The guy apparently exaggerated his story to get into college. And that makes you wonder: how many other well-off progressives do the same thing while preaching about equality? This isn’t just about him. It’s about the whole “limo liberal” thing—people who benefit from the system while pretending to fight it.
Who Is This Guy, Anyway?
Zohran Mamdani’s a Democratic Socialist from Queens, always talking about fighting inequality. But here’s the thing—he’s the son of Mahmood Mamdani, this big-shot academic and activist. So yeah, he grew up with advantages. Still, he leans hard into his identity as a South Asian Muslim, playing up struggles that, honestly, don’t quite match his background. Now, with these college app rumors? It’s awkward. Like, here’s a guy who had every advantage, trying to sell himself as some kind of underdog. Doesn’t sit right.
The College App Drama: What Actually Happened
From what’s out there, Mamdani might’ve stretched the truth in his applications. You know how it goes—turning small hurdles into epic battles because colleges eat that up. It’s not as blatant as Lori Loughlin straight-up bribing schools, but it’s the same idea: working the system. And the kicker? This is a politician who rants about unfair systems! But hey, privilege isn’t just money—it’s knowing how to play the game.
Limo Liberals and the College Admissions Circus
“Limo liberal”—perfect term for this. Rich people who love talking about equality… for everyone else. When it comes to college apps, they’re suddenly all about spinning some hardship story. Meanwhile, actual kids who struggled? They get pushed aside. Mamdani’s not the first, won’t be the last. Celebs, politicians—they all do it. At this point, admissions aren’t about real life; they’re about who tells the best sob story.
The Asian American Twist: Complicated, Right?
Mamdani’s South Asian, which makes this messier. Asian Americans get stuck in this weird spot—sometimes they face real bias, other times they’re treated like they’ve got it easy. And then you’ve got guys like Mamdani using their background as a shield. You can see why that ticks people off, especially working-class Asians who don’t have the connections or the smooth talk to fake struggle. Bottom line? Not all hardship claims are created equal.
What’s Everyone Saying?
People aren’t holding back. Bill Ackman—yeah, that billionaire—went after Mamdani on Twitter. Others are saying this is why no one trusts progressive leaders anymore. Of course, Mamdani’s fans argue his activism matters more than old college apps. Typical spin. But the backlash? It’s real. Folks are tired of elites who talk big about fairness but jump at every advantage.
Wrapping Up
Mamdani’s college mess is just a symptom of a bigger problem. It’s not about one guy—it’s about how privilege works, even when it’s wrapped in progressive slogans. If we actually want fairness, we’ve got to call out the people who pretend to fight for it while gaming the system. Otherwise? College—and politics—will keep being rigged for the folks who already have a head start.
Source: NY Post – US News
