‘It’s Not True’: Ex-Giuliani Aide Demolishes Claim Mamdani And AOC Laughed During 9/11 Memorial

Screenshot via C-SPAN

Michael Ragusa, a former aide to ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, vehemently shot down the emerging narrative on Friday that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) laughed during the 9/11 memorial ceremony that morning.

Headlines blared across the conservative media following the somber event, accusing the two of blatant disrespect for the victims of the terror attacks 25 years ago.

“Mamdani and AOC spotted laughing at 9/11 ceremony while families cry,” insisted the New York Post in a social media post, which included a clip.

“AOC and Mamdani seen laughing and smiling as 9/11 families weep at Ground Zero,” added the Blaze, while MAGA’s Real America’s Voice posted, “Mamdani CRIED for his ‘aunty’ not wearing a hijab after 9/11 – But LAUGHED today while the real VICTIMS of 9/11 names were read…”

The livestream of the event certainly did offer an unfortunate juxtaposition, as a victim’s family member was seen crying and the cameras quickly cut to the two progressives sharing an upbeat moment, which C-SPAN also shared.

Ragusa, however, was having none of it. “The videos of @NYCMayor and @AOC laughing are not true. I was standing next to them the whole time. The camera just caught her greeting him hello. Multiple other politicians were laughing and joking behind me. Republicans and Democrats,” he wrote on X, adding:

And for the record I am a life long republican who has been very critical of these two. I’m just sick of this fake news and people just saying whatever they want.

Ragusa later clapped back at some of the comments on his post, which argued that he was wrong. “I was there bro. It’s not true,” he wrote to one user.

“Are you looking to be the next Curtis Sliwa?” wrote another user in reply, to which Ragusa said, “Hell no. Just stating facts.”

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