New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, sparked a media uproar by announcing his plan to install bidets in the official mayoral residence. Major outlets like Fox News labeled bidets as an “elite luxury,” while social media exploded with memes and critical comments. One Democratic insider said the mayor is "flush with cash" for bidets. But Mamdani’s proposal is about basic hygiene, not luxury. The reaction reflects deeper cultural bias. When white politicians renovate with marble, it is not questioned. But a brown mayor with a non-Western name choosing bidets is treated like a scandal. Media criticism shifted from Mamdani’s policies to his identity, portraying simple hygiene changes as cultural attacks. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has faced media resistance since his campaign. His affordable housing ideas were called “socialist fantasy,” and his free subway rides proposal attracted charges about “freeloaders.” Even his attendance at cultural events was labeled pandering. Despite the media backlash, Mamdani’s approval ratings remained strong at 48 percent by January 2026, the highest yet, according to Newsweek. Many Americans support his policies, including raising taxes on the wealthy and increasing minimum wage to $30 an hour. Some even called the bidet plan "a new era of cleanliness in New York." A proctologist said bidets make sense from a hygiene view. The media outrage contrasts sharply with public opinion. This case shows Americans increasingly reject manufactured controversies based on cultural discomfort. Mamdani’s bidet plan may or may not happen, but it sends a clear message: in the US, cultural background often faces more scrutiny than policies, especially for politicians of color. While most of the world uses water for hygiene without fuss, American media still debates the basics. Maybe one day the US will catch up, but until then, expect bathroom fixtures to remain oddly controversial.