Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over comments made during a recent campaign rally, igniting a fierce political exchange centered on Mamdani 9/11 remarks. The confrontation comes as early voting begins in the city’s highly competitive mayoral race.
Vance shared a video of Mamdani’s Friday speech, claiming the candidate downplayed the tragedy of 9/11. He argued that Mamdani seemed to portray his family as the true victims of the terrorist attack. The post quickly went viral, triggering widespread discussion among voters and political commentators.
During his speech, Mamdani discussed the experiences of Muslim New Yorkers following the September 11 attacks. He recounted how his aunt stopped using the subway because she feared for her safety. His remarks aimed to highlight ongoing discrimination faced by Muslims in New York City since the attacks.
However, Vance sharply rebuked those comments, claiming they reflected poor judgment and misplaced sympathy. He stated that according to Mamdani’s perspective, the real victim of 9/11 was his aunt, not those who perished. Many conservatives echoed Vance’s sentiment, accusing Mamdani of minimizing a national tragedy.
Meanwhile, Mamdani defended his statements, insisting he sought to address the city’s climate of suspicion toward Muslims. He emphasized that many Muslim New Yorkers serve in public roles and deserve respect. Mamdani 9/11 remarks, he said, were intended to promote unity and understanding, not division or controversy.
Tensions have already been rising between Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, one of his major rivals. Earlier this week, Mamdani accused Cuomo of engaging in Islamophobic rhetoric after controversial comments made on a radio show. Cuomo questioned Mamdani’s capacity to handle a crisis similar to 9/11, sparking backlash from community leaders.
The campaign trail has since become a battleground for competing narratives about faith, identity, and leadership. While Mamdani continues to emphasize inclusivity, his opponents are using his words to question his judgment.
As the mayoral race intensifies, voters appear divided on how much these exchanges will influence their choices. Supporters of Mamdani insist his focus on equality reflects genuine leadership, while critics maintain his 9/11 remarks show poor sensitivity.
The controversy surrounding Mamdani 9/11 remarks has clearly reshaped the political conversation in New York City ahead of Election Day.
