Zohran Mamdani earns ‘mamscrawny’ nickname after bench press fail at Brooklyn Men’s Day event

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani faced an embarrassing moment at Brooklyn’s annual Men’s Day open streets event on Saturday, August 24, when he struggled with a bench press demonstration in front of a cheering crowd.

The 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and party nominee attempted to lift a bar reportedly loaded with 135 pounds but was unable to complete a single rep unassisted.

Videos from the event showed him relying entirely on the help of a muscular spotter from the local group 500 Men Making a Difference to finish two shaky reps. After conceding defeat, Mamdani smiled, gave full credit to his spotter, and quickly moved on—but not before political rivals seized the opportunity to turn the mishap into campaign ammunition.

Zohran Mamdani mocked after failed bench press attempt

Mayor Eric Adams wasted no time highlighting Mamdani’s failed lift with a side-by-side comparison of his own gym effort at the same event.

Posting a video on X, Adams powered through several bench press reps with the same spotter barely assisting. “64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,” Adams wrote. 

He added another jab: “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”

Former governor and independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo also joined in the ridicule. Sharing a quote from the New York Post report, Cuomo quipped: “It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to carry the burden.” He followed up with his own barb: “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world.”

Zohran Mamdani shifts focus to community and culture at event

Despite the mockery, Mamdani remained a visible presence throughout Men’s Day, mingling with attendees along Eastern Parkway and posing for hundreds of selfies outside the Brooklyn Museum.

He also showcased his athletic side in other ways, swapping his designer boots for bare feet to play soccer—Uganda’s national sport, where he was born. Video from the event showed him kicking a ball toward a giant inflatable dartboard, drawing applause from onlookers.

Later, he joined a DJ’s set and addressed the crowd. “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, closing with a confident pledge: “I look forward to being your next mayor, next year.”

The Men’s Day event, held annually at the end of summer, features outdoor fitness stations, live music, car showcases, and family-friendly activities.