Mamdani on his exchange with Giuliani: "we both extended our hands and exchanged pleasantries"
Mayor of New York City
“He came over and we both extended our hands and exchanged pleasantries... I think the focus for all of us is a focus on the families, a focus on first responders and to be here and hear the names of all those who were stolen from us 25 years ago and how the families have persevered through that time. I am truly in awe of all that these families have given us.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
CNN's detailed account of the Mamdani-Giuliani handshake and the disputed Mamdani-AOC clip, including direct quotes from Mamdani, Ragusa, Cruz, and Niou.
Before the quotation
Speaking with reporters after the ceremony on September 11, 2026, Mamdani declined to share what Giuliani had said to him directly.
After the quotation
Aides to Mamdani separately said Giuliani told him being mayor was hard.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Mamdani's account of a graceful, low-key interaction with Giuliani and his redirection of focus to victims' families implicitly defends his choice to attend as appropriate and non-disruptive, consistent with his earlier stated reasons for attending.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Rudy Giuliani
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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