‘Comes From A Culture That Lies’: Why Sequoia Partner’s Comment On Zohran Mamdani Has Blown Up

Last Updated:July 10, 2025, 10:57 IST

Shaun Maguire’s comment on Mamdani drew sharp backlash from global founders, with over 100 demanding an apology and action from Sequoia

Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and democratic socialist. (Image: AFP)

Shaun Maguire, a high-profile partner at Sequoia Capital and a prominent conservative voice in Silicon Valley, is facing sharp backlash for his recent comments on Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and democratic socialist. The controversy stems from a series of inflammatory posts Maguire made on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Mamdani of being an “Islamist" and alleging that he “comes from a culture that lies about everything."

The remarks, which many saw as Islamophobic and racially charged, have sparked outrage within the start-up and tech ecosystem. An online petition demanding that Sequoia Capital take disciplinary action against Maguire and provide clear mechanisms to report discrimination and hate speech gathered over 900 signatures, many from founders and executives across the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, Maguire has received vocal support from other corners of Silicon Valley, indicating the polarised ideological climate gripping the tech industry.

What Did He Say About Zohran Mamdani?

The current controversy began when Maguire responded to a New York Times report stating that Mamdani had marked himself as both “Asian" and “Black or African American" on a Columbia University application in 2009. In response, Maguire wrote on X: “He comes from a culture that lies about everything. It’s literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda."

He also described Mamdani, who is a Muslim and democratic socialist, as an “Islamist." The use of this term was perceived by many as inflammatory and misapplied.

Zohran Mamdani, a member of the New York State Assembly since 2021, is the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair. He identifies as both South Asian and African and is known for his advocacy on housing, immigration and social justice issues.

Why Did It Spark Backlash?

Many saw Maguire’s comments as not only Islamophobic but also racially charged. Founders and executives from Muslim-majority regions, particularly in the Gulf, as well as Indian tech entrepreneurs, expressed concerns over bias and discrimination from one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capitalists.

An online petition quickly gathered over 900 signatures, calling on Sequoia Capital to investigate Maguire’s conduct, issue a public apology, and establish processes for reporting hate speech and discrimination. Tabby CEO Hosam Arab, whose company was once backed by Sequoia Capital India, said: “It’s not about Mamdani either. It’s about whether Sequoia is willing to finally take a clear stance or accept alienating hundreds of founders who find these views offensive."

On the other hand, Maguire’s supporters, including venture capital executives and founders, argued that his comments reflected his personal political stance and should not be grounds for corporate sanction. A separate petition supporting Maguire also began to make the rounds in VC circles.

How Did Maguire Respond?

Maguire released a 30-minute video on X to explain his thought process and offer a conditional apology. “This tweet went extremely viral and not in a good way," he said. “I guess cancel culture is alive and well."

He added: “To any Muslim that is not an Islamist and to any Indian that took offence with this tweet, I’m very, very sorry." Despite this, he continued to post defiant messages, including: “You only embolden me."

Maguire also defended his usage of the word “Islamist," stating it was intended to describe only a specific political ideology, not the broader Muslim community. However, critics argue that the context and sweeping nature of his comments cannot be easily separated.

Who Is Shaun Maguire?

Maguire is a venture capitalist, technologist, and former national security researcher who has become one of the most prominent conservative voices in Silicon Valley. He’s a partner at Sequoia Capital, where he’s led investments in high-profile ventures such as SpaceX, xAI, and The Boring Company — all part of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s empire.

While at Caltech, he was recruited to work at DARPA, the US government’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency — a body that funds cutting-edge military and defence technology. He went on to co-found the cyber security firm Qadium (later renamed Expanse), which was acquired by Palo Alto Networks for around $800 million to $1 billion.

Maguire joined Google Ventures in 2016 and later Sequoia in 2019, where he built a reputation for sourcing deals linked to Elon Musk and other high-growth founders. He is also known for championing right-wing causes, both financially and ideologically, including donating nearly $800,000 to Republican causes in 2023. On X, he has over 245,000 followers and posts frequently on politics, technology and defence.

Why This Isn’t His First Controversy

Maguire has a history of political provocation. He supported the 6 January Capitol Hill protesters, criticised diversity and inclusion initiatives, and publicly endorsed conspiracy theories, including voter fraud claims.

He told Fortune that his public stances have cost him friends and family relationships. “I was at a point in my life where I was willing to face any consequences, as crazy as it sounds, even death," he said on the Uncapped podcast.

Maguire has also argued that he was overlooked for promotions because he is a white man, and he frequently posts against progressive causes and left-leaning policies.

Why It Matters Now

The controversy surrounding Maguire’s comments is not limited to online outrage; it is being closely watched by the global start-up ecosystem. Sequoia Capital, which has a significant presence in markets such as India and the Middle East, faces growing scrutiny from founders and investors about whether personal views expressed by its partners reflect broader institutional positions.

While Sequoia has declined to comment publicly, the response from the global founder community indicates that the issue is unlikely to fade quickly. How the firm handles it could shape perceptions of its inclusivity and neutrality going forward.

News explainers ‘Comes From A Culture That Lies’: Why Sequoia Partner’s Comment On Zohran Mamdani Has Blown Up