Controversial Incident at Ground Zero
Democratic Socialists, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, were spotted laughing and smiling together at Ground Zero in New York City on Friday, while families of 9/11 victims were visibly grieving nearby.
This moment unfolded as family members solemnly read out the names of the 2,977 individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, due to a terrorist attack. It’s notable that some families had requested Mamdani to refrain from attending the memorial, citing concerns over his Islamist connections.
The video that has been circulating online contrasts the grieving families with the apparent light-heartedness of Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez.
Mamdani chose to attend the ceremony despite a petition that garnered over 110,000 signatures, urging him to avoid the memorial event.
In a statement made on Monday, Mamdani expressed pride in his role as mayor. “I love this city. I love this country,” he said. He emphasized that the week should focus on the families who suffered the loss of their loved ones in the tragic events of September 11.
Mamdani has previously framed Muslims as the main victims of 9/11, recounting an anecdote in 2025 about his “aunt” no longer feeling safe wearing a hijab on the subway after the attacks, however, it was later revealed that this woman was not actually his aunt and didn’t even reside in New York City.
Additionally, Mamdani had claimed that a former teacher warned him on the day of the attacks that he could experience bullying due to his Muslim background. Yet, the teacher in question does not remember any such discussion.
Both Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez have connections to the left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who once controversially stated, “America deserved 9/11.” Raised in Turkey until coming to the U.S. for college, Piker also criticized families who supported the petition against Mamdani, referring to their concerns as a “demented racist viewpoint.”
AOC has appeared on Piker’s streams and at Mamdani’s victory celebration, later defending Piker’s role in the progressive movement during an August 2026 interview, suggesting that Democrats have a responsibility to engage with younger voters.
