WASHINGTON (TNND) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) wore a hijab at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, sparking backlash from conservatives.
“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,” Hochul said in the video clip posted on X on Sunday by the account End Wokeness.
“‘Feminist icon’ NY Governor Hochul just put on a hijab for Muslim men,” End Wokeness wrote in the post.
Other political pundits noted the incident occurred shortly before the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
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.”
Right-wing influencer Matt Van Swol replied to the original video clip on Sunday with a picture of the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers, writing, “New York forgot.”
Some conservatives also addressed the feminism angle of the incident, HuffPost reported.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, framing the incident as hypocrisy, wrote a meme on X on Sunday, “Democrats: ‘Sexist Republicans are turning America into the Handmaid’s Tale!’ Also Democrats:” with a screenshot of the clip of Hochul wearing the hijab.
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.”
Hochul’s office didn’t immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The governor has worn a hijab before. In July 2025, Hochul wore one at the funeral of New York Police Department Detective Didarul Islam, a Muslim officer killed in a Manhattan mass shooting, The South Shore Press reported.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, reacted to a photograph of Hochul wearing a hijab at the time, writing on X, “Um, wut?”
Hochul replied to his post, writing, “I wore a headscarf to honor a fallen Muslim NYPD officer at his funeral.Respecting a grieving family’s faith is ‘wut’ leaders and anyone with basic decency would do.”
The backlash comes as the Port Authority Retired Police Association sent a letter to Hochul earlier this month, noting her decision to illuminate the One World Trade Center alongside her proclamation recognizing January as Muslim American Heritage Month, the New York Post reported.
“To those of us who served there, your decision to utilize the WTC for this purpose was extremely tone-deaf, insensitive, and an affront to us, our families, and all those affected by this attack. Your action displayed neither concern nor reverence for the fallen,” the association’s president, John McDevitt, wrote.
A spokesperson for Hochul said she “has enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11, which is why she will proudly stand alongside them at this year’s commemoration. Make no mistake: Muslim New Yorkers, like people from every walk of life, served as first responders and helped unite the city in the aftermath of 9/11. The Governor knows we can respect these families while being clear that Islamophobia has no place in New York.”