President Donald Trump criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for appearing to share a lighthearted moment during the solemn reading of victims’ names at the 9/11 Memorial. Describing their behavior as “terrible” and “inappropriate,” Trump expressed disapproval of their actions at such a somber event.
“I think it’s terrible,” Trump stated when questioned about the video circulating online, featuring the two Democrats during the ceremony. “It’s not a place to be laughing, especially in that case,” he added, emphasizing the seriousness of the occasion.
“The fact that they were laughing together at a very important part of the ceremony was inappropriate,” Trump continued.
The video capturing Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani at Ground Zero quickly gained traction online, sparking widespread criticism. Observers noted their interaction during a moment when a young man appeared overcome with emotion, leading to accusations of disrespect.
While the focus remained on Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani, many others expressed their disapproval. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, remarked on X, “There is a time and a place for politics. This isn’t it. Ground Zero is sacred ground. September 11 is not a photo op.”
New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov also condemned the actions seen in the video, mentioning Mamdani’s presence despite calls from victims’ families to stay away. A petition against Mamdani’s attendance had garnered over 110,000 signatures.
Dispute arose regarding the video interpretation, with Michael Ragusa, a member of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s team, arguing that Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez were misrepresented. Ragusa contested claims they were joking about the ceremony, asserting he witnessed them the entire time.
“The videos of [them] laughing are not true. I was standing next to them the whole time,” Ragusa wrote on X.
Mamdani appeared serious throughout other sections of the observance, with no clarity on the content of their brief conversation. Despite this moment, perspectives varied among attendees, with some Republicans and Democrats seen interacting during the ceremony.
As the incident unfolded, Fox News reached out to Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez for comments regarding the situation.