A viral video intended to showcase the strength of a progressive New York mayoral candidate has spectacularly backfired, revealing instead a painful struggle with a standard gym weight.
Zohran Mamdani, a 28-year-old Democratic Socialist running for office, became the subject of online mockery after footage emerged of him attempting to bench press what appears to be just the 45lb Olympic bar.
The cringe-worthy clip, originally posted to his own Instagram account, shows the politician straining under the minimal weight, his arms shaking violently as he pushes the bar upwards with a spotter standing closely by.
A Political Message Gone Wrong
The video was reportedly filmed to promote a 'Bench Press for Gaza' event, attempting to draw a parallel between physical strength and political resolve. However, the intended message was swiftly lost amidst the sheer awkwardness of the performance.
Social media users and political commentators were quick to seize on the footage, turning it into a metaphor for what they perceive as the weakness of his far-left policy platform.
Online Reaction and Ridicule
The internet's response was swift and merciless. The video circulated widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users creating memes and edits set to dramatic music, highlighting the disparity between his political ambitions and his physical performance.
Many critics questioned the judgment of a campaign team that would greenlight such easily mockable content, suggesting it reflects a deeper disconnect from the everyday realities of the constituents he seeks to represent.
Policy Platform Under Scrutiny
Mamdani, who serves in the New York State Assembly, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. His radical policy proposals include defunding the police and implementing a new city-wide wealth tax.
Critics were quick to pounce, arguing the failed bench press inadvertently symbolized the potential consequences of his policies on public safety and economic strength.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny faced by modern political figures, where every public act—even a visit to the gym—can become a potent political symbol in the brutal arena of online discourse.
