Footage circulated online showing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez smiling and laughing at Ground Zero during the reading of names of those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, drawing swift condemnation from prominent Republicans.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz shared the clip on X, asking, "How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud?"
Conservative commentator Meghan McCain also posted the video, questioning the behavior. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace shared a still image, writing, "If laughing at Ground Zero while names are being read during the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is your thing, perhaps public service isn't your calling."
But Michael Ragusa, a former New York City Fire Department EMT and self-described "lifelong Republican" who attended the ceremony, disputed the interpretation. Ragusa, who ran unsuccessfully for New York City Council in 2023, said the video captured Ocasio-Cortez greeting Mamdani at an appropriate moment.
"AOC was standing in the back of the line, she waited for the proper time to come greet the mayor," Ragusa said. "That video is her greeting the mayor and that's it."
Ragusa said Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez were respectful throughout the Friday ceremony and stayed for the entire event. He contrasted their conduct with others at the memorial who were distracted.
"Multiple Democrats and Republicans who I will not name were on their phones, laughing, talking while the names were being read," Ragusa said. "I was next to them for two hours. They were very respectful."
Mamdani's attendance had already drawn controversy. Some relatives of 9/11 victims had publicly urged the mayor to avoid the anniversary events, but New York Gov. Kathy Hochul defended his participation. "The mayor of New York City will be there, as he should be," Hochul said.
Mamdani was also photographed shaking hands with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the ceremony.
President Trump faced separate criticism during 9/11 commemorations when images circulated showing him with his eyes closed during a Pentagon memorial ceremony.
