(LifeSiteNews) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) – the country’s most prominent Democrat Socialist – were caught on camera laughing and yakking during the city’s otherwise solemn September 11 25th anniversary commemoration ceremony.
How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud? Why would you do so?” Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas asked in a social media post.
How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud?
Why would you do so? https://t.co/gOec2hA8Lo
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 11, 2026
The disrespectful display by Muslim Mamdani and rising Democrat presidential candidate AOC captured by politically neutral C-Span presented a vivid contrast with family members who wept as the names of their deceased loved ones killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks were read.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at New York City September 11th 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony pic.twitter.com/ctq0lDxrik
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 11, 2026
Earlier in the week, families of the 9/11 victims had begged Mamdani not to attend the service because of his and his wife’s previous irreverence. A petition that was circulated gathered a reported 100,000 signatures.
Don’t come!!! pic.twitter.com/s16QUFhUeA
— Scott LoBaido (@ScottLoBaido) September 8, 2026