Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: Zohran Mamdani disrespected the victims of September 11th
Executive Summary
Zohran Mamdani faced criticism in September 2025 for his public reactions to two controversial statements tied to left‑leaning figures: Hasan Piker’s remark that “America deserved 9/11” and the slogan “globalize the intifada,” both of which critics said showed a lack of respect for September 11 victims and for Jewish and Israeli communities. Reporting in September 2025 documents critics’ outrage and Mamdani’s subsequent partial distancing—he refused to directly condemn Piker’s specific phrasing but later said he would “discourage” the use of the “globalize the intifada” slogan—creating a public controversy over whether his responses amounted to disrespect [1] [2] [3].
1. Why a Lawmaker’s Silence Became a Story: Political Fallout and Public Outrage
Coverage in September 2025 focused on Zohran Mamdani’s initial refusal to condemn Hasan Piker’s comment that “America deserved 9/11,” which critics interpreted as disrespect toward 9/11 victims and their families; this stance drew condemnation from figures including Oren Barzilay and Sal Turturici, who publicly expressed outrage and framed Mamdani’s response as insufficient or evasive [1]. The reporting treated Mamdani’s noncondemnation as a political liability, noting that public figures are often held accountable not only for their own words but for their reactions to allied commentators, and that silence or partial responses can be read as tacit acceptance. The coverage therefore positioned Mamdani’s reaction as the central issue driving the broader debate over responsibility and solidarity with victims.
2. A Different Angle: Complaints from 9/11 Families and First Responder Relatives
Reporters in mid‑September 2025 highlighted specific grievances from relatives of 9/11 victims and first responders, notably a relative of firefighter Mike Weinstein, who publicly criticized Mamdani for not condemning rhetoric perceived as hostile to Israelis and Jews and for failing to fully denounce phrases linked to violence, such as “globalize the intifada” [2]. That family member’s comments reflect how survivors and relatives assess public officials’ conduct through the lens of personal loss and national trauma; such criticisms framed Mamdani’s actions as a failure of moral leadership in the face of phrases that, for critics, signal endorsement of violence or hatred. The reporting treated these reactions as a credible source of political pressure, underscoring the emotional stakes involved.
3. Mamdani’s Public Position: Distancing, Discouraging, but Not Full Condemnation
According to September 2025 reporting, Mamdani did not unequivocally condemn Hasan Piker’s “America deserved 9/11” remark; that refusal constituted the main basis for claims he disrespected 9/11 victims [1]. On the related issue of the “globalize the intifada” slogan, the reports state Mamdani later said he would “discourage” use of the phrase after initially not condemning it, signaling a shift from initial reticence to a more critical stance while stopping short of a robust denunciation [2]. This sequence of responses left room for multiple interpretations: supporters could argue Mamdani sought nuance or due process, while critics portrayed his actions as politically calculated and morally inadequate.
4. How Media Sources Framed the Story: Outrage Versus Context
Media coverage in the provided analyses emphasized critics’ outrage and the emotional responses of affected families, presenting Mamdani’s refusals and later partial distancing as central facts without offering extensive defense from his supporters in these reports [1] [2] [3]. The framing highlighted accountability to victims and families as the primary standard by which leaders are judged. However, the analyses did not include substantial countervailing material—such as full statements from Mamdani explaining his reasoning or perspectives defending his responses—which means readers received a snapshot largely focused on criticism and the immediate political consequences rather than comprehensive contextualization.
5. Bottom Line: Established Facts and Remaining Questions
From the available September 2025 reporting, the verifiable facts are that Mamdani refused to explicitly condemn Hasan Piker’s “America deserved 9/11” comment and that he later said he would “discourage” the slogan “globalize the intifada,” prompting public accusations that he disrespected 9/11 victims and concerned relatives [1] [2] [3]. What remains unsettled in the record provided is Mamdani’s full rationale and any complete corrective statements or apologies beyond the reported “discourage” remark, as well as broader perspectives from his allies or more detailed sourcing showing his intent, which the cited pieces do not supply. Those omissions are material for anyone assessing whether the label “disrespected the victims of September 11th” is conclusively supported by the public record cited here.