New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who led the city on September 11, 2001, shook hands at the 25th anniversary commemoration ceremony in Lower Manhattan. The encounter occurred despite Giuliani having previously expressed his disapproval of the city's first Muslim mayor attending the event.
Giuliani had publicly stated after Mamdani's election that he believed another 9/11 could occur during his term. He also told Newsmax on Sunday that Mamdani should not attend the Friday ceremony, arguing that it was intended for the families of victims and for national remembrance. "There’s no question he should [skip the commemoration event]," Giuliani told the outlet. "I mean, the reality is this ceremony is for the families and for America to remember historically."
Giuliani further stated that Mamdani's presence "offends me," citing his personal connections to those lost in the attacks and their families. However, video footage shows Mamdani approaching Giuliani and extending his hand. Giuliani initially appeared to smile slightly before a brief conversation, after which he seemed to grimace as they parted ways.
Mamdani told CBS News following the exchange that Giuliani had approached him first. "He came over, and we both extended our hand and exchanged pleasantries," Mamdani said. He emphasized that the day's focus should be on the families and first responders, and on remembering those lost 25 years ago. "And I think the focus for all of us is the focus on the families, focus on the first responders, and to be here, and hear all the names of all those who were stolen from us 25 years ago, and how the families have persevered through that time."
According to The Hill, Giuliani's objection to Mamdani's attendance was based on Mamdani's beliefs, with Giuliani claiming, "They have every desire to take us over... This is not, ‘they want to be just another religion’; they want to dominate us. Mamdani is a clear supporter of that."
Earlier in the week, at a City Hall news conference, Mamdani accused former city leaders of misinforming New Yorkers about air quality near Ground Zero following the attacks. "People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air," Mamdani stated, adding that health issues related to the attacks have since claimed more lives than the initial event.