New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny over a 2023 social media post and past comments as the city prepares for its annual 9/11 commemoration at Ground Zero. The controversy centers on two key developments: a resurfaced 2023 X (formerly Twitter) post and Mamdani’s past association with a commentator whose remarks about the 9/11 attacks drew criticism.
Mayor’s 2023 Post Draws Criticism
On September 11, 2023, Mamdani posted on X: “Nearly 3,000 New Yorkers died on 9/11; 22 years later, the death hasn’t stopped. We mourn our neighbors who died that day. The hundreds of thousands who died in the wars that followed. The unknown millions injured & displaced. In their memory, we work toward a better world.” The post, which did not explicitly mention the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks, has since been widely shared and criticized. Some opponents argue the wording omits responsibility for the attacks while emphasizing the broader consequences of U.S. military responses.
Backlash Over Past Association
Mamdani has also faced criticism for an interview he conducted with Hasan Piker, a commentator who in 2019 stated, “America deserved 9/11.” Mamdani initially declined to condemn Piker’s remarks but later called them “objectionable and reprehensible.” The controversy has intensified ahead of the 2024 9/11 commemoration, with some 9/11 families and public figures urging Mamdani not to attend the ceremony.
Calls for Mamdani to Stay Away from Ground Zero
Several public figures have publicly opposed Mamdani’s attendance at the annual 9/11 remembrance at Ground Zero. Marc Thiessen, a former Pentagon official, wrote on X: “As someone who was in the Pentagon when the planes hit, this is absolutely disgraceful. You have no business ever setting foot at Ground Zero, much less on 9/11.” New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov similarly stated: “I guess they all just ‘died’ in an accident? And then you wonder why the families of 9/11 victims don’t want you at the ceremony. Stay home, Mamdani.”
Mamdani’s Response
Mamdani has not publicly addressed the renewed backlash in detail, though he previously distanced himself from Piker’s remarks. The mayor’s office has not responded to requests for comment on the latest criticism.
Background: The 9/11 Commemoration
The annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero is a solemn event attended by 9/11 families, first responders, and public officials. The ceremony honors the 2,977 victims of the 2001 attacks and includes moments of silence, readings, and tributes. Mamdani, as mayor, has traditionally participated in the event, though his attendance this year remains uncertain amid the growing controversy.