Giuliani Reveals What He Told Mamdani

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has revealed what he told Mayor Zohran Mamdani during their closely watched handshake at the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The brief encounter attracted attention because Giuliani had publicly criticized Mamdani before the 9/11 memorial and questioned whether the current New York City mayor should attend.

But when the two political rivals came face-to-face Friday, Giuliani chose civility over confrontation.

According to Giuliani, he told Mamdani that he regularly prays for him. Mamdani responded by thanking the former mayor.

The exchange lasted only moments, but it stood out during an emotional anniversary commemorating one of the darkest days in American history.

Giuliani Explains His Decision to Shake Mamdani’s Hand

Giuliani, 82, said he believed refusing to acknowledge Mamdani could have created an unnecessary political spectacle.

Rather than allowing their personal and ideological disagreements to overshadow the memorial, Giuliani said his priority was maintaining respect for the victims and their families.

He suggested that if either man had deliberately turned away from the other, the confrontation could have become the major headline coming out of the ceremony.

Giuliani instead chose to shake Mamdani’s hand and keep the encounter cordial.

For the former mayor, the decision was about maintaining the solemn nature of the occasion rather than settling their political differences.

Political Differences Remain

Despite the respectful interaction, Giuliani emphasized that his disagreements with Mamdani have not disappeared.

The two men represent dramatically different political eras in New York City and hold sharply contrasting views on numerous issues.

Giuliani became internationally recognized for his role as mayor during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their immediate aftermath. His leadership during that period remains a defining part of his public career.

Mamdani represents a much younger and more progressive generation of New York City politics.

Their handshake therefore attracted considerable attention, especially after Giuliani’s criticism in the days before the anniversary.

Giuliani Gives Mamdani Unexpected Credit

Giuliani nevertheless found something positive to say about Mamdani after the ceremony.

He noted that the current mayor remained at the memorial until the event concluded and said Mamdani deserved credit for doing so.

That acknowledgment was significant considering Giuliani had previously argued that Mamdani should not attend.

It also demonstrated that Giuliani was willing to recognize what he considered respectful conduct without backing away from his broader political objections.

Why Giuliani Objected to Mamdani’s Attendance

Part of Giuliani’s criticism involved Mamdani’s associations with controversial political personalities.

Giuliani specifically raised concerns about podcast host Hasan Piker, who has faced criticism over past inflammatory comments concerning the September 11 attacks.

For Giuliani, associations involving people who have made provocative statements about 9/11 are particularly sensitive given his personal connection to the tragedy and his role as New York City’s mayor at the time.

His objections contributed to the political controversy surrounding Mamdani’s decision to participate in the 25th anniversary observance.

Mamdani, 34, attended despite those objections.

Mamdani Says 9/11 Should Be About Victims and Families

Mamdani has maintained that the anniversary should focus on those who lost their lives, their loved ones, survivors and the first responders who rushed toward danger on September 11.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks.

A quarter-century later, the anniversary remains deeply personal for millions of Americans, particularly those who lived through the events and remember watching the tragedy unfold.

For New Yorkers, the annual remembrance at the National September 11 Memorial carries an especially powerful meaning.

A Rare Moment of Civility at the 9/11 Memorial

Against that solemn backdrop, the interaction between Giuliani and Mamdani ultimately became something different from the confrontation some observers may have expected.

There was no dramatic argument or public snub.

Instead, two politicians separated by enormous ideological differences exchanged a handshake and a few respectful words.

Giuliani made clear afterward that the gesture did not amount to a political reconciliation. His objections to Mamdani remain.

But for a few moments, their disagreements took a back seat to remembering the Americans who were killed on September 11, 2001.

For many older Americans who vividly remember that morning, that may be the most important takeaway.

Twenty-five years after the attacks, political battles continue to divide the country. But honoring the victims, supporting their families and remembering the courage of America’s first responders remain responsibilities that transcend party lines.