Zohran Mamdani shares laugh with AOC during sombre 9/11 memorial

New York City Mayor and House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chuckle and smile as victims' names read aloud during 25th anniversary of terrorist attacks

Published Sep 11, 2026  •  Last updated 10 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. left, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a laugh during Friday's sombre ceremony honouring the victims of 9/11. Photo by Screengrab /CPAC

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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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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?”

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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.

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