Hundreds of startup founders and tech workers have signed an open letter demanding disciplinary action against Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire after he called New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani an "Islamist" on social media.
The controversy erupted July 4 when Maguire posted on X that " Mamdani comes from a culture that lies about everything" and claimed "it's literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda." The venture capitalist's comments targeted the Democratic nominee, who would become NYC's first Muslim mayor if elected.
Open letter sets ultimatum for Silicon Valley giant
The weekend letter, signed by founders from companies backed by Sequoia-linked funds, gives the prestigious VC firm until July 14 to respond. Signatories demand a public apology, formal investigation into Maguire's conduct, zero-tolerance hate speech policies, and a discrimination reporting hotline.
"As founders building the future of technology, we cannot accept leadership from a firm whose partners engage in hate speech," the letter states, warning that Maguire's conduct "undermines your ability to serve a global, diverse founder ecosystem."
Notable signatories include Hosam Arab of Dubai fintech Tabby, Hisham Al-Falih of Lean Technologies, and Ahmed Sabbah of Egyptian payments company Telda—all leaders of companies that have raised capital from Sequoia-connected funds.
Maguire doubles down amid growing criticism
Rather than apologizing, Maguire has escalated his rhetoric, claiming critics "only embolden me" and dismissing letter signatories as "Marxists," "Pro-Palestine," or "Leftists." He defended his comments in a 28-minute video, distinguishing between "Islamist" as political ideology versus "Muslim" as religious identity.
The Stanford-educated partner previously donated $800,000 to pro-Trump efforts and has called diversity programs "structural racism." Sequoia Capital declined to comment on the controversy.
Mamdani's progressive platform focuses on affordable housing, LGBTQ+ protections, and minimum wage increases—policies unrelated to religious ideology.
The controversy erupted July 4 when Maguire posted on X that " Mamdani comes from a culture that lies about everything" and claimed "it's literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda." The venture capitalist's comments targeted the Democratic nominee, who would become NYC's first Muslim mayor if elected.
Open letter sets ultimatum for Silicon Valley giant
The weekend letter, signed by founders from companies backed by Sequoia-linked funds, gives the prestigious VC firm until July 14 to respond. Signatories demand a public apology, formal investigation into Maguire's conduct, zero-tolerance hate speech policies, and a discrimination reporting hotline.
"As founders building the future of technology, we cannot accept leadership from a firm whose partners engage in hate speech," the letter states, warning that Maguire's conduct "undermines your ability to serve a global, diverse founder ecosystem."
Notable signatories include Hosam Arab of Dubai fintech Tabby, Hisham Al-Falih of Lean Technologies, and Ahmed Sabbah of Egyptian payments company Telda—all leaders of companies that have raised capital from Sequoia-connected funds.
Maguire doubles down amid growing criticism
Rather than apologizing, Maguire has escalated his rhetoric, claiming critics "only embolden me" and dismissing letter signatories as "Marxists," "Pro-Palestine," or "Leftists." He defended his comments in a 28-minute video, distinguishing between "Islamist" as political ideology versus "Muslim" as religious identity.
The Stanford-educated partner previously donated $800,000 to pro-Trump efforts and has called diversity programs "structural racism." Sequoia Capital declined to comment on the controversy.
Mamdani's progressive platform focuses on affordable housing, LGBTQ+ protections, and minimum wage increases—policies unrelated to religious ideology.
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