Zohran Mamdani faces embarrassment amid bench press struggle

Picture this: a New York City mayoral candidate, in the spotlight at a public event, unable to lift a modest 135-pound barbell without help.

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D), a Democratic Socialist and frontrunner in the 2025 NYC mayoral race, has found himself at the center of a storm after struggling with an unassisted bench press at a New York City Men’s Day event, sparking social media mockery and intensifying scrutiny over his policy stances and campaign finances, as Breitbart reports.

At the event, as reported by the New York Post, Mamdani couldn’t get the 135-pound bar off the rack without assistance.

Mamdani’s public struggle with bench press unfolds

He graciously thanked his spotter from the group “500 Men Making a Difference” for stepping in, but the damage was already done.

Photos of the failed lift spread like wildfire, and social media didn’t hold back. “Weak men create hard times,” one user quipped on X, a sentiment that cuts to the core of why physical grit still matters to many in leadership roles.

Let’s be fair — bench pressing isn’t a job requirement for mayor, but when you’re asking to lead a tough city like New York, every stumble becomes a metaphor for capability.

Social media piles on

The online pile-on was relentless, with one unnamed commenter snarking, “135 pounds is my warm-up.” That’s a bit harsh, but it reflects a broader frustration with leaders who seem out of touch with the everyday grit required to tackle urban challenges.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) didn’t miss his chance to jab, posting, “It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to carry the burden.” Ouch—turns out political punches hit harder than any barbell.

Another post went as far as saying men unable to lift certain weights shouldn’t even vote, which is over the top, but it shows how quickly personal missteps fuel public judgment in today’s hyper-connected world.

Campaign events, policy positions

Elsewhere, Mamdani showed a different side at an Open Streets event, strolling down Eastern Parkway and snapping hundreds of selfies near the Brooklyn Museum. He also displayed some flair with a soccer ball, a nod to Uganda, his birthplace and recent wedding location.

Yet, his policy ideas — like city-run grocery stores — raise eyebrows among those wary of government overreach. Add to that his 2020 podcast comments opposing police responses to domestic violence calls, claiming they don’t create safety, and you’ve got a platform that’s divisive at best.

Then there’s the eyebrow-raising contradiction: despite his calls to defund the NYPD, Breitbart News reported Mamdani’s campaign shelled out $33,495 over two months to Advanced Security & Investigations, a firm proud to employ NYPD officers. Talk about a mixed message — actions do speak louder than words.

Fundraising success even amid controversy

On the financial front, Mamdani’s campaign is a juggernaut, raising over $1 million in small donations between July 12 and August 18, per the New York City Campaign Finance Board. That dwarfs the hauls of both Cuomo, at about $541,301, and current Mayor Eric Adams (D), at roughly $425,181.

With an average donation of just $121, compared to Cuomo’s $646 and Adams’ $770, Mamdani’s grassroots support is undeniable, showing a base that’s bought into his progressive vision. But does that translate to the broader electorate when stumbles like the bench press — or policy contradictions — keep surfacing?

Ultimately, this incident isn’t just about lifting weights; it’s about lifting trust. Mamdani has the fundraising and the primary win under his belt for the 2025 race, but if he can’t shoulder the small burdens in public view, skeptics will keep asking if he’s ready for the big ones.