<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani expressed discontent regarding current Mayor Zohran Mamdani's attendance at the September 11 commemoration marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, stating that Mamdani's presence would "offend him."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994 to 2001 and became a prominent figure in the city's response to the attacks, visited the World Trade Center site multiple times on September 11, earning the title "America's mayor."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In an interview with Newsmax on Sunday, Giuliani was asked about Mamdani's plans to attend a ceremony at ground zero on Friday. He stated, "There’s no question he should" skip the ceremony.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Giuliani further commented, "Frankly, whatever he’d like to say, he doesn’t agree that September 11 was an Islamic terrorist attack on the United States of America. One that is in terms of war or effort continuing today, and may be even worse today. Having lost friends there, and being very close to many of the families, it offends me that he’s coming."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani's intention to join families of those who died during the attacks has faced considerable opposition. A petition initiated by Giovanni Galante, whose wife was killed in the September 11 attacks, has received over 100,000 signatures since its launch in July.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The petition's organizers raised concerns about Mamdani, including his previous comments on U.S. foreign policy, his response to the phrase "globalize the intifada," his political endorsements, and writings by his father on political violence, arguing these factors render him an unsuitable participant in the ceremony.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Giuliani characterized Mamdani as a "clear supporter" of radical Muslim ideologies. Former New York Governor George Pataki also stated that Mamdani should not attend ground zero, referencing the mayor's association with controversial streamer Hasan Piker, who previously remarked that America "deserved" 9/11.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani has denied supporting terrorism or political violence and has consistently condemned the September 11 attacks. On Monday, he reiterated his plans to attend the commemorative ceremonies, stating, "I’m proud to be the mayor of this city. I love this city. I love this country. What I want this week to be a focus on is on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of September 11 and a focus also on the first responders who did everything they could."</p>