Zohran Mamdani fails at bench press during appearance at Brooklyn Men’s Day

Zohran Mamdani, the young mayoral frontrunner from Brooklyn, found himself in an awkward spot at the annual Men’s Day open streets event over the weekend.

The New York Post reported that while community engagement was the primary focus of the event, Mamdani’s struggle with a bench press caught the attention of opponents Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo, both of whom seized the opportunity to critique him.

On Saturday, Mamdani, a 33-year-old Socialist and Democratic Party nominee, attempted but struggled to lift a 135-pound weight during a public event.

His bench press required the assistance of a spotter, part of an organization known as “500 Men Making a Difference.” Participants and onlookers witnessed the incident, which soon turned into a point of interest.

Mamdani’s Bench Press Attempt Draws Attention

The Men’s Day open streets event in Brooklyn is an annual affair that brings the community together with activities like outdoor gyms, music, and car shows.

This end-of-summer event is designed to celebrate community spirit and camaraderie. However, for Mamdani, it became more challenging.

While Mamdani struggled with the bench press, political adversaries seized the moment. Mayor Eric Adams released a video to showcase his own strength in successfully lifting weights.

Additionally, Andrew Cuomo, an independent mayoral candidate, shared a critique over social media without demonstrating his physical skills.

Mamdani accepted the situation with grace, acknowledging the aid of his spotter after the attempt. He continued engaging with the community by joining a soccer activity, where he kicked a ball at an inflatable target.

Despite the brief setback, Mamdani focused on the larger picture: community involvement. In his remarks to attendees, he expressed his gratitude for the celebration, emphasizing the importance of the visible community beauty.

“It is such a pleasure to be here, and I want to say thank you to the organizers for celebrating what makes this community beautiful,” Mamdani expressed. His participation in various activities underscored his commitment to the community.

Mamdani, originally from Uganda and recently married there, is no stranger to international life. His cultural background adds depth to his political experience and connection with New Yorkers, an asset in his campaign.

Adams and Cuomo Weigh In

However, Mamdani’s opponents continued to leverage the bench press incident to their advantage. Mayor Eric Adams made a pointed comment comparing their life experiences, stating, “64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves.”

Adams continued his critique, implying that Mamdani’s perceived inability to manage the weight of office, “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.” This remark placed emphasis not just on physical strength, but on perceived political preparedness.

Andrew Cuomo also added to the criticism, commenting, “It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to carry the burden.” He continued, noting the importance of leadership strength, “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world.”

Despite the political jabs, Mamdani remained focused on his campaign. He concluded his remarks with optimism, stating, “I look forward to being your next mayor, next year.”

The incident, while potentially embarrassing, did not deter Mamdani from his community-centered activities. His efforts were aimed at highlighting the importance of shared community experiences.