U.S. President Donald Trump forcefully lashed out at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday after footage captured the two democratic socialists smiling and giggling during the solemn 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony in Lower Manhattan. Speaking to reporters in Ireland, Trump branded their conduct outright inappropriate, joining a widening chorus of public figures and bereaved families expressing profound fury over the display while victims' names were being read aloud.
United States President Donald Trump went on the attack on Monday against Zohran Mamdani.
After the New York City mayor was caught on camera giggling alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the official memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks in Manhattan, the president did not hold back.
Mamdani and AOC are spotted laughing at a 9/11 ceremony during the solemn reading of the names | photo: FOX5 NY
“I think it’s terrible,” Trump told reporters as he departed Shannon Airport in Ireland. “That is no place to be laughing, certainly not in a situation like that. The fact that they were laughing together during a critical part of the ceremony is completely inappropriate behavior.”
The moment that ignited the firestorm occurred precisely as a bereaved family member was reading aloud the names of loved ones murdered in the Al-Qaeda terror attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The footage unleashed an immense wave of public outrage among senior Republican figures and public commentators.
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U.S. President Donald Trump | Photo: The White House
“Why the f*** are these two laughing?!”wrote Meghan McCain, former host of The View and daughter of the late Senator John McCain, on X (formerly Twitter).
Texas Senator Ted Cruz similarly questioned: “How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud? Why would you do so?”
A source close to City Hall tried to explain the interaction, saying the two merely exchanged an awkward smile after the mayor was left isolated when New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Chuck Schumer exited the ceremony early.
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Zohran Mamdani | Photo: Shutterstock
Nevertheless, the source conceded that Mamdani—attending the ceremony as mayor for the first time and staying until the end to speak with families—knew such conduct would draw fierce scrutiny.
Meanwhile, security personnel near the platform pushed back on the criticism, arguing the clip lacked context and showed nothing more than a passing greeting, noting that other politicians around them were shifting and laughing as well.
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