AOC and Zohran Mamdani Under Fire for Controversial Gesture at NYC Rally

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani are facing criticism after a photograph from a weekend rally in Queens sparked allegations of a Nazi salute. The image, which shows both politicians with their right arms extended and angled downward, quickly circulated online, drawing intense scrutiny and accusations.

The rally, also attended by Senator Bernie Sanders, aimed to energize Mamdani’s campaign and frame the local election as a confrontation with the influence of former President Donald Trump. Mamdani shared the photo on social media with the caption, “Thank you, New York City. Now let’s win,” which prompted widespread debate. Conservative figures, including Senator Ted Cruz, questioned the gesture, while Elon Musk commented, “Sure looks like it,” amplifying the controversy.

During the event, Mamdani emphasized his progressive vision for the city, criticizing corrupt politicians and their wealthy backers, and calling out independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the race as a reflection of broader national political challenges, condemning what she described as authoritarian tendencies fueled by bigotry.

The incident illustrates how quickly a single image can dominate the political discourse, forcing campaigns to address backlash over alleged offensive gestures while maintaining focus on their political messages.