New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani found himself at the center of viral ridicule this weekend after struggling through an attempted bench press at Brooklyn’s annual Men’s Day open streets event, earning him the nickname “Mamscrawny” from rivals and critics alike.
Mamdani, 33, the socialist nominee for mayor, attempted to lift a bar reportedly loaded with 135 pounds. But photos and video showed him unable to get the bar off the rack without help, with his two shaky reps requiring full assistance from a spotter.
After quitting, Mamdani laughed it off and credited the spotter for helping him through the stunt. But the damage was already done: Clips of the failed lift quickly went viral, drawing mockery across the political and cultural spectrum.
Mayor Eric Adams, one of Mamdani’s rivals in the crowded race, wasted no time posting his own video from the same event. Adams, 64, was shown repping the weight with little to no help.
64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves.
The weight of the job is too heavy for “Mamscrawny.” The only thing he can lift is your taxes. pic.twitter.com/HR6fDPKn0B
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) August 24, 2025
“64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,” Adams wrote on X. “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo also chimed in, blasting Mamdani’s “weak performance” as symbolic of a candidate not ready for the weight of leadership.
Riley Gaines, the outspoken former collegiate swimmer and influencer, added her own jab Monday, posting a clip of herself benching 165 pounds, more than Mamdani attempted, despite weighing just 130 pounds at the time.
“165lb relatively easy reps on bench when I weighed 130lbs. Take note, @ZohranKMamdani,” Gaines wrote on X. “I’m not saying we should judge politicians for how much they can bench but I’m absolutely judging a politician for how much he can bench.”
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The ridicule didn’t stop there. Sports commentator Clay Travis called Mamdani’s failed attempt “next level weakness,” while celebrity chef Andrew Gruel tied the moment to Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) much-mocked workout video earlier this summer.
“The bench press buffet with Mamdani and Swalwell. All you can eat,” Gruel joked.
