Some people claim on social media that Mamdani has launched the "Zetro Card — a "public banking" debit card that lets the government manage your money. 10% of profits go straight to NGOs. So… a politician starts a bank, takes your data, and funds activists with your cash."

Original publisher’s rating

DW Fact check: False. In reality, the Zetro Card, which has a name that resembles the MetroCard used for public transportation in New York City, was a campaign collectible for volunteers — not a financial product. It let people track their canvassing efforts and rewarded participation with campaign merchandise. Canvassing is a term used in politics for making direct contact with voters, most often in person or by phone. In an April video Mamdani explains: "Canvass eight times in the next eight weeks and win a limited-edition poster." So this is nothing for the general public but about collecting stamps for campaign merchandise. A September video reiterated that the card is only available at campaign events and is not a debit card or linked to any financial system.

Reviewed by Deutsche Welle ↗ · November 4, 2025