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Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were criticized after they shared a laugh during Friday’s sombre ceremony honouring the victims of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks.
The New York City Mayor and Democratic House Representative were filmed sharing a laugh and smiling during the live feed of the memorial event as the names of nearly 3,000 victims were read and family members cried.
Both shared statements to social media Friday remembering not only the grief and loss on that tragic day but also the heroism and rebuilding efforts that followed.
“The years have passed, but those we lost will remain with us: in our hearts, in the selflessness we strive to emulate and in the city we work each day to make worthy of their sacrifice,” Mamdani shared on social platform X .
“We will Never Forget.”
This morning, New York City came together in remembrance of 25 years since the horrific terror attacks of September 11.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) September 11, 2026
25 years of grief and loss, heroism and heartbreak, rebuilding and renewal.
The years have passed, but those we lost will remain with us: in our hearts, in… pic.twitter.com/XXG2FTnaD6
Ocasio-Cortez offered similar sentiments in her online statement mourning the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
“Our hearts are with their loved ones,” she wrote on X .
“Let us also honor the courageous first responders who gave their all in our darkest hour. We will #NeverForget their bravery in the face of such terrifying tragedy.”
On this 25th anniversary, we mourn the thousands of lives lost on 9/11. Our hearts are with their loved ones.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) September 11, 2026
Let us also honor the courageous first responders who gave their all in our darkest hour.
We will #NeverForget their bravery in the face of such terrifying tragedy.
Moment of joy
Critics immediately let it be known that their moment of joy was out of line at the solemn remembrance.
“Why are you laughing while they’re reading the names?” one of many replied to Mamdani, while another said it was no laughing matter.
“We saw you laughing with AOC during the 911 ceremony, which was totally inappropriate (like Biden checking his watch),” another replied. “Americans of every political, cultural, color, gender, and bent, died that day, while the two of you sought to act like children on full display! So disgusting!”
Hearty laugh by AOC
Ocasio-Cortez received similar wrath for her hearty laugh and smile that showed her pearly whites as the camera quickly moved to the victims’ names being read aloud.
“May this despicable capture haunt your career forever,” one person commented. “Resign in disgrace. You do not work for Americans. You laugh on our most traumatic day.”
Another called her a “fake and phony.”
“You couldn’t remain somber while they read the names of the dead,” a third wrote. “Actions speak louder than empty words.”
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- U.S. marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
- New York changed in dramatic and surprising ways in the 25 years since 9/11
Political condemnation
The darlings of the Democratic Socialists of America were also not immune from condemnation from the political world.
“How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud?” asked Senator Ted Cruz on his X account . “Why would you do so?”
How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud?
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 11, 2026
Why would you do so? https://t.co/gOec2hA8Lo
Meghan McCain, media personality and daughter of late Republican Senator John McCain, also wanted to know what was so funny.
“Why the f— are these two laughing?!?” she said on X .
Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez have yet to comment about their light-hearted moment during the memorial in New York City.