POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Does video show Mamdani and AOC smiling, laughing at 9/11 ceremony? Claim omits key context
The Claim A viral claim circulating across social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit, and X alleged that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez...
The Claim
A viral claim circulating across social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit, and X alleged that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) were seen smiling and laughing during the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The claim gained traction after a brief clip surfaced online, which appeared to show the two politicians exchanging a moment of levity while the names of 9/11 victims were being read aloud during a public ceremony.
The clip, which was shared widely on conservative news outlets like The New York Post, Fox News, and The Jerusalem Post, sparked immediate backlash from critics who accused the pair of disrespecting the solemn nature of the event. The video, however, was only a fraction of the full footage, and it did not include the surrounding context that could clarify the nature of their interaction. The claim was further amplified by figures such as former President Donald Trump, who criticized AOC and Mamdani for their apparent behavior during the ceremony.
The Details & Investigation
Upon review of the full livestream from The Associated Press, which lasted over four hours, the moment in question occurred around the 02:08:00 mark. At that time, the cameras captured AOC and Mamdani briefly interacting, with AOC appearing to smile and even laugh. However, this moment was not an isolated or unprovoked instance of mirth. According to eyewitness accounts and additional footage provided by CNN, the exchange occurred as the names of 9/11 victims were being read in alphabetical order, and Mamdani was initially focused on listening to the names being recited.
According to multiple sources, including Michael Ragusa, a security official who worked under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the two politicians were simply greeting each other before refocusing on the ceremony. Ragusa stated in a post on X that he was “standing next to them the whole time” and confirmed that their interaction was brief and respectful. Similarly, Yuh-Line Niou, a former New York Assembly Member, described the moment as a “greeting” and noted that both Mamdani and AOC remained attentive for the remainder of the ceremony.
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CNN also reviewed and shared unaltered footage of the event, which showed that the interaction between AOC and Mamdani was short-lived and followed by their return to attention to the ceremony. Additionally, the full AP livestream included a longer segment where a man was seen sobbing near the 9/11 memorial pools, emphasizing the gravity of the occasion. This context is notably absent from the viral clip, which was edited to isolate the moment of interaction and omit the broader ceremonial atmosphere.
While the initial clip may have been authentic, the omission of context led to a misinterpretation of the event. This type of selective editing is a classic tactic in the spread of misinformation, where a genuine moment is taken out of context to create a misleading narrative. In this case, the claim appears to be a mix of both misinformation—due to the lack of context—and potential disinformation, given the way it was amplified by certain media outlets and political figures seeking to exploit the controversy.
The Verdict
The viral claim that Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were seen smiling and laughing during the 9/11 ceremony is partially true but heavily misleading due to the omission of critical context. While the clip showing their brief interaction is authentic, it does not reflect the full reality of the event. Both individuals were present for the entire ceremony, and their exchange appears to have been a simple greeting rather than an act of disrespect.
Given the selective presentation of the video and the lack of contextual information, the claim should be rated as MISLEADING. It is not entirely false, but the way it was presented and disseminated created a distorted impression of the event. The absence of the broader ceremonial setting and the presence of other attendees reacting with solemnity further undermine the interpretation that the two politicians were mocking the occasion.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
