News Brief
J D Vance Mocks NYC Mayoral Candidate, Says Mamdani Thinks ‘Real Victim Of 9/11 Was His Auntie’
Zohran Mamdani
US Vice President JD Vance criticised New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Saturday (25 October) after the Democratic Socialist lawmaker shared an emotional account of his Muslim aunt’s experience in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, India Today reported.
Sharing a video of Mamdani’s speech, Vance posted on X, “According to Zohran, the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks,” directly mocking the candidate’s emotional remarks.
The 34-year-old Queens Assemblyman said he would no longer hide his Muslim identity, describing recent political attacks from former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa as “racist and baseless.”
Speaking at the Islamic Cultural Center of The Bronx, Mamdani reflected on the fear and stigma Muslim New Yorkers have faced since 9/11.
"My aunt stopped riding the subway after September 11 because she didn't feel safe being seen in a headscarf," Mamdani said, visibly emotional.
"These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught. And over these last few days, those lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams," he added.
Mamdani clarified that his message was directed to Muslim New Yorkers, not his opponents.
The Assemblyman admitted that he once downplayed his faith to appeal to broader voters — a decision he now regrets.
"I thought if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough, I'd be seen as more than just my faith. I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough," he said. "I will not change who I am or how I eat for the faith I'm proud to call my own. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light," he added.
If elected, Mamdani would be New York City’s first Muslim mayor. His campaign has been marked by controversy over his views on Israel and Palestine, drawing sharp attacks from political figures.
Cuomo recently suggested Mamdani would “cheer another 9/11,” while Sliwa accused him of backing “global jihad.”
Mayor Eric Adams added to the tension, saying New York “can’t be Europe” due to Islamic extremism while endorsing Cuomo’s independent bid.
