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New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani referenced New York Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson during the mayor’s inaugural address Thursday, even appearing to make a gesture similar to Brunson’s signature celebration.
The move received mixed reactions on social media.
The reference came about nine minutes into the speech, when Mamdani proclaimed “excellence is no longer the exception,” adding that the city “expects greatness” from “our point guard at Madison Square Garden.” During that remark, the mayor covered his face with his hand and appeared to echo Brunson’s celebration, but then transitioned the gesture to wiping his face.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers his inaugural address on Thursday, January 1, outside City Hall. (Pakinomist/Pool)
Images of the moment spread across social media, with some Knicks fans appreciating the reference, but many others in the city and around the country criticizing Mamdani for his democratic socialist agenda.
Former Kansas City Chiefs practice squad player Chris Manno was one of the many to criticize Mamdani, suggesting that Brunson will “loathe” the new mayor.
“The captain will loathe this clown as soon as he finds out how much of his next contract will go to supporting those who don’t feel the need to work in the corrupt city,” Manno wrote in a response to the clip on X.
Cryptocurrency influencer account Dr. Evil of Crypto suggested that Brunson would not align with Mamdani’s values.
“Brunson is a conservative, religious, family oriented man. He would never associate with this hateful, disgusting person,” the influencer wrote in an X response. Brunson’s religion and political views are not publicly disclosed, as he has not made any statements about them. Brunson attended private Catholic University Villanova for his college career.
The local New York City news aggregator account, City Desk NYC, called Mamdani’s gesture “clown behavior.”
HOURS AFTER THE ACTION, NYC MAYOR MAMDANI MEASURES LANDLORDS, GOES TO FILE IN PRIVATE BANKRUPTCY CASE
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks during a media day press conference at the MSG practice facility in Tarrytown, NY. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
“Mamdani’s Brunson cosplay is peak clown behavior. He’s out here stealing Jalen’s celebration while his policies are stealing New York’s future,” the account wrote in an X reply. “Brunson delivers wins. Mamdani makes excuses.”
Several other users mocked or condemned Mamdani for the gesture.
However, other users praised Mamdani for the gesture and reference during the speech.
Brunson received 27 votes in the recent mayoral election on write-in ballots.
Back in October, the Knicks sent a cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani’s campaign after he used a logo similar to the team’s in a campaign ad, Pakinomist Digital confirmed at the time.
Mamdani posted the logo on Instagram with the caption: “This is our year. This is our time. #NewYorkForever.” The location of the post was Madison Square Garden. It has since been deleted.
In a statement, the Knicks made it clear they “do not support Mr. Mamdani for Mayor.”
“The NY Knicks have sent NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a cease and desist letter for using the NY Knicks logo to promote his candidacy. The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for mayor and we object to his use of our copyrighted logo. We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights.”
