Trump Criticizes Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Zohran Mamdani

What happened

After a day of public remembrance, President Donald Trump criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over a four-second video from Friday’s Ground Zero ceremony. The clip showed them appearing to laugh during the reading of victims’ names, but included no audio. Trump called the behavior “terrible” and “inappropriate,” saying the ceremony was “not a place to be laughing.” The annual reading included the 2,977 names. It took about four hours. The clip drew online criticism and Republican criticism, including from Sen. Ted Cruz.

How each side covered it

From the left

Mediaite’s account centered on Trump’s rebuke and the visual contrast of the moment. It said cameras appeared to show Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez smiling and laughing at the 25th anniversary ceremony as victims’ names were read. Trump called it “terrible” and “inappropriate,” saying it was not a place to laugh. Mediaite said critics saw the timing as disrespectful, especially after footage of a man weeping at the memorial waterfall.

From the right

Conservative coverage treated the clip as a breach of respect during mourning. Fox News reported Trump said the memorial was not an appropriate place for laughter, while noting their conversation could not be heard. The Washington Times said Republican politicians expressed outrage and that Ted Cruz asked how anyone could laugh while victims’ names were read. The Daily Wire and Townhall also pointed to past Mamdani Fourth of July posts.