Trump Criticizes Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani Over 9/11 Memorial Incident

Former President Donald Trump has criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for their behavior at the 9/11 Memorial. Trump described their conduct as “terrible” and “inappropriate” after they appeared to share a moment of laughter during the solemn reading of victims’ names.

“I think it’s terrible,” Trump commented, emphasizing the inappropriateness of laughter during such a solemn ceremony. Video footage showing Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani engaging in what seemed like a lighthearted exchange at Ground Zero triggered widespread criticism online.

“As the names of Americans murdered on September 11th are read aloud at Ground Zero, AOC and Mamdani are laughing and smiling together,” stated Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, on X. “There is a time and a place for politics. This isn’t it. Ground Zero is sacred ground,” he added.

The incident coincided with the 25th-anniversary commemoration ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York. The ceremony honored nearly 3,000 individuals killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the earlier 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

A television broadcast showed emotional scenes at the memorial before cutting to Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez smiling as they spoke, though their conversation was inaudible. Critics accused the pair of disrespect on one of the nation’s most solemn days.

New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov also criticized the moment, suggesting that Mamdani’s presence at the memorial was inappropriate given the opposition he faced from some victims’ families. A petition urging him to stay away had gathered more than 110,000 signatures. Nonetheless, Mamdani attended and remained at the event.

Michael Ragusa, who was present during the ceremony, disputed claims that Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez were laughing about the event. Ragusa stated on X that he observed them and that other politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, engaged in similar behavior.

Mamdani was noted to be standing somberly at other moments during the ceremony. The nature of his and Ocasio-Cortez’s conversation during the brief exchange is still unknown.

Fox News Digital has reached out to both Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez for comment.