President Donald Trump, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash Friday over their appearances at 9/11 commemorations, with critics accusing them of inappropriate behavior. At Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism after footage appeared to show them smiling and laughing during the ceremony as the names of those killed in the attacks were read aloud. Meanwhile, Trump was accused of falling asleep during a Pentagon 9/11 memorial ceremony, after images showing him with his eyes closed circulated online.
A Fox News clip of Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez, showing them appearing to smile at each other, was shared by several high-profile Republicans after the ceremony, claiming that they were not fit for public service if they were laughing during such a solemn occasion. Why would you do so?” Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz asked on X, alongside the clip. Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted a still from the video, adding that, "If laughing at Ground Zero while names are being read during the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is your thing, perhaps public service isn’t your calling." However, one of the attendees at the event, who described himself as a "lifelong Republican," told Newsweek that the footage was taken out of context.
Michael Ragusa, a former EMT with the New York City Fire Department who ran an unsuccessful GOP New York City Council race in 2023, told Newsweek that the video simply showed Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, greeting Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). "AOC was standing in the back of the line, she waited for the proper time to come greet the mayor," he said. "That video is her greeting the mayor and that’s it." Ragusa said that Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez remained very respectful, in contrast to "multiple Democrats and Republicans who I will not name were on their phones, laughing, talking while the names were being read." "I was next to them for 2 hours," he added.
"They were very respectful and stayed the entire time. I am a lifelong Republican saying this." The criticism came as victims’ relatives and friends gathered at the memorial plaza to remember loved ones killed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Mamdani's presence at the ceremony had already been politically contentious.
Some relatives of 9/11 victims had urged the mayor to stay away from the anniversary events, while Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended his attendance. Mamdani nevertheless attended Friday's ceremony, where he was also photographed shaking hands with Rudy Giuliani, who was the city's mayor on September 11, 2001. The controversy surrounding Mamdani follows months of political disputes over his views and his handling of issues connected to terrorism and the city's response to the attacks.
Newsweek has reached out to Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez via email for comment on Friday. Trump faced his own share of criticism over his behavior at a 9/11 memorial event in Virginia. The president attended the 25th anniversary commemoration at the Pentagon alongside first lady Melania Trump.
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