Mamdani didn't notice the cameras – and was caught red-handed at the 9/11 memorial ceremony | Watch

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was recorded laughing alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero, while the names of the victims were being read. The footage sparked outrage and sharp criticism from Republican elected officials and social media users, who argued that the behavior was inappropriate for the occasion.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was recorded chuckling and laughing alongside Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero, precisely while the names of the victims were being read. The brief video clip, lasting only a few seconds, spread quickly and sparked outrage. Steve Guest, a former senior aide to Senator Ted Cruz, called it a "disgrace." Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, wondered: "Why the hell are these two laughing?" Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt of Texas wrote: "There is a time and place for politics. This is neither the time nor the place. Ground Zero is sacred ground." On the other hand, some argued that it was a brief moment taken out of context. The article also quotes former US President Donald Trump's reaction to the video, as reported by Fox News.