WASHINGTON (TNND) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) responded to President Trump’s reaction to her wearing a hijab at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, saying, “I’ll never apologize.”
While at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York on Friday, Hochul wore a hijab, as seen in a video clip posted on X on Sunday by the account End Wokeness, which has more than 10 million views as of Wednesday.
Hochul says in the video, “I want to thank His Excellency, Mr. Albanai, to thank him for welcoming me, making me feel part of the family — to our imam, all the other executives for this organization.”
Trump shared a screenshot of the video on Truth Social on Tuesday, writing, “Kathy Hochul, considered the Worst Governor in the Country, in a recent picture working hard to get the Arab Vote, even though they can’t stand her! Congestion Pricing in Manhattan is hurting her with everybody, but especially the people for whom she wears the hijab. The whole thing is CRAZY!”
Hochul shared Trump’s response on X, writing, “I was a guest in a Muslim house of worship and showed respect for the people who welcomed me. That used to be standard in this country before you came along. I’ll never apologize for treating people of any faith with dignity, no matter how Islamophobic you and your enablers are.”
Several conservatives criticized Hochul for wearing the hijab, with some pointing out that it was just before the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and others saying that wearing the headscarf wasn’t feminist.
Conservative commentator Graham Allen shared the video on X on Sunday, writing, “We are just TWELVE DAYS out till the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul is wearing a hijab. SHAME ON HER.”
Fox News host Riley Gaines shared the video on X on Sunday, writing, “A self-described feminist voluntarily wearing a hijab to not offend/arouse Muslim men. Oh, the irony.”
The New York Young Republican Club wrote in a post on X on Sunday with the video clip, “Kathy Hochul is being her typical self: bowing to the third world at the Islamic Cultural Center of NYC.
“NYYRC can exclusively reveal *which* third-world country: the mosque she is speaking at was almost entirely funded by Kuwait. Foreign countries are meddling in our affairs and our governor is happy to let them.”