At the 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 attacks held in lower Manhattan on Friday, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current Mayor Mamdani were observed sharing a brief and seemingly tense handshake. Giuliani, who was mayor during the 2001 attacks, had earlier urged Mamdani to refrain from attending the memorial events.

The call came amid heightened tensions following comments made by Mamdani criticizing city leadership's handling of air quality information in the aftermath of 9/11. Giuliani's spokesperson publicly condemned Mamdani’s remarks, describing them as inaccurate. Despite the earlier public disagreement, the two exchanged polite words during the ceremony, though their interaction was described as "awkward."

When questioned about the encounter, Mamdani characterized the exchange simply as “pleasant.” The subdued interaction contrasted with the earlier sharp rhetoric, reflecting a moment of civility amid a complex and emotional remembrance gathering. The event brought together various officials, survivors, and families of victims to honor the lives lost and to reflect on the legacy of the attacks two and a half decades later.