Laura Loomer Warns JD Vance Against Shaking Hands with Mamdani at 9/11 Ceremony
New York, September 10, 2026 — Right-wing activist Laura Loomer publicly warned Vice President JD Vance against shaking hands with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Friday’s 25th anniversary ceremony for the September 11 attacks. In a series of posts on X, Loomer said a handshake photo would be one Vance would “regret for…
New York, September 10, 2026 — Right-wing activist Laura Loomer publicly warned Vice President JD Vance against shaking hands with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Friday’s 25th anniversary ceremony for the September 11 attacks. In a series of posts on X, Loomer said a handshake photo would be one Vance would “regret for the rest of his life” and called refusing the handshake the biggest “America First” move Vance could make. Her posts included unsubstantiated attacks on Mamdani and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
The criticism follows similar calls from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Governor George Pataki urging Mamdani to skip the ceremony. Mamdani, who has condemned the 9/11 attacks as “horrific,” has confirmed he will attend, saying he intends to stand alongside victims’ families, survivors, and first responders. President Trump, who had reportedly considered attending, will instead mark the anniversary at a separate Pentagon ceremony alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
