Zohran Mamdani mocked for struggling to bench press during Brooklyn Men’s Day event

The 33-year-old Socialist, who is also the Democratic nominee, attempted a 135-pound bench press on Saturday but was unable to complete a single repetition without assistance. Photos showed a spotter from the group “500 Men Making a Difference” helping Mamdani through two attempts before the candidate gave up and praised the volunteer’s effort instead, reports the New York Post.

A critic labeled him “Mamscrawny” on social media, while Mayor Eric Adams posted his own video from the same venue showing him completing several repetitions with minimal support. “64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,” Adams wrote on X. He said, “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”

Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo also took advantage of the incident, citing a New York Post report. “It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to carry the burden,” Cuomo wrote on X. “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 failed strength test, Mamdani participated in other activities at the event, including a soccer challenge. Video showed him removing his designer boots before kicking a ball at an inflatable dartboard near the Brooklyn Museum. He also joined a DJ set and addressed attendees. “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 said. “I look forward to being your next mayor, next year.”

Men’s Day is held each summer in Brooklyn, featuring outdoor gyms, music, and car shows. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, spent part of the afternoon walking down Eastern Parkway and posing for selfies with supporters.