Video of NYC mayor and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez at 9/11 ceremony sparks debate
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A brief, silent exchange between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the 25th-anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero drew criticism and defense on social media.
A four-second clip from the live broadcast of the 25th-anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero showed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez smiling and greeting each other while the names of the September 11 victims were being read. The video contained no audio of the interaction.
Republican figures, including Sen. Ted Cruz and commentator Meghan McCain, criticized the moment as inappropriate laughter during the solemn reading. Others, such as former state Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, argued the criticism mischaracterized the brief greeting, noting that many politicians were laughing and joking throughout the event and that both leaders remained for the entire ceremony and spoke with families afterward.
The clip also captured Mamdani shaking hands with former mayor Rudy Giuliani before the ceremony began. Giuliani’s aide said the two exchanged pleasantries and that Giuliani told Mamdani he was “praying for him.” Mamdani declined to detail the conversation, emphasizing the focus on families and first responders.
Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, has faced opposition from some Republican leaders who previously said his presence at the memorial was offensive. After the ceremony, he addressed an interfaith service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, recalling New Yorkers’ resilience after the attacks.