NYC Mayoral Race Highlights Mamdani's Controversial Photo With 1993 WTC Bombing Figure

During a CNN NewsNight segment, Republican commentator Scott Jennings defended former Governor Andrew Cuomo's criticism of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, highlighting Mamdani's lack of experience and controversial associations. Jennings emphasized that Mamdani had never held a job or run any organization at the scale required for mayoral responsibilities, especially in crisis situations like a 9/11-style terrorist attack. He also pointed to Mamdani's photo with Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, noting that Mamdani appeared proud of the association. CNN host Abby Phillip challenged Jennings, asking if it was fair to say Mamdani would cheer on 9/11, but Jennings maintained that the photo and Mamdani's connections were legitimate concerns. The debate spotlighted tensions within the campaign, with Cuomo using these points to question Mamdani's qualifications and judgment. The controversy has stirred significant discussion about Mamdani's background and suitability for the NYC mayoral role.