James Woods Warns of 'Muslim Invasion': Electing Mamdani 'Most Dangerous Event' in Modern American History

Actor James Woods described the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City as “the most dangerous event” in modern American history, warning of a looming threat posed by what he called a “Muslim invasion.” During a Monday appearance on conservative commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast, The Benny Show, Woods delivered a strongly worded critique of Mamdani’s victory, linking it to broader concerns about Islamic influence in the U.S. and the rise of political ideologies he views as hostile to Western values. Woods, known for his long-standing conservative stances in Hollywood, framed Mamdani’s election as a critical moment in the nation’s trajectory. He argued that the Democratic Socialist candidate’s win represents a grave crisis for the United States, rooted in his belief that certain religious and ideological movements pose a direct challenge to American principles. Referring to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Woods questioned how the country could allow what he described as a “Muslim invasion and cancer” into its political and social fabric. He acknowledged that such statements might be seen as prejudiced but insisted that his stance was grounded in a fear of religious extremism. “I’m prejudiced against a religion that’s really a political jihad, that actually has, in its revered text, that you will kill every non-believer,” Woods stated. He identified himself as a Catholic, emphasizing that while he respects the rights of others to hold different beliefs, he believes that certain faiths, particularly those that advocate for violent conversion or extermination of non-believers, do not align with American ideals. “I’d say you have a right to do it anyway,” he added, suggesting that even those who adhere to such doctrines should be allowed to exist within the framework of free society. Johnson, during the conversation, highlighted tensions surrounding Mamdani’s potential participation in this year’s 25th-anniversary commemorations of the September 11 attacks. Some family members of victims have expressed discomfort with Mamdani’s presence at the event, citing his past writings and public statements that they perceive as insufficient condemnation of extremist rhetoric. A widow of a victim told The Times of Israel that Mamdani’s attendance would feel “like an unwelcome guest at a deeply personal ceremony.” Despite these objections, Mamdani’s office confirmed that he plans to attend the commemoration. This year’s anniversary marks 25 years since nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks on New York, making it the deadliest foreign strike on American soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The event will serve as both a somber reflection on national security and a test of how the country navigates complex issues of identity, ideology, and interfaith relations. In addition to expressing fears about demographic shifts and cultural conflict, Woods made ominous predictions about the future of Christianity in regions like Sudan, where Christians face persecution. He suggested that Muslims are “outbreeding us and killing us,” a claim that has drawn criticism from scholars and activists who argue that such generalizations lack empirical support. Nevertheless, his remarks underscore a growing concern among some conservative voices about the role of religion in shaping political landscapes and societal norms.