WASHINGTON (TNND) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Hochul said in the video clip posted on X on Sunday by the account End Wokeness.<\/p>\n
“‘Feminist icon’ NY Governor Hochul just put on a hijab for Muslim men,” End Wokeness wrote in the post.<\/p>\n
Other political pundits noted the incident occurred shortly before the 25th anniversary of 9\/11.<\/p>\n
Conservative commentator Graham Allen shared<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Some conservatives also addressed the feminism angle of the incident, HuffPost reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Fox News host Riley Gaines shared<\/a> the video on X on Sunday, writing, “A self-described feminist voluntarily wearing a hijab to not offend\/arouse Muslim men. Oh, the irony.”<\/p>\n The New York Young Republican Club wrote in a post on X<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n Hochul\u2019s office<\/a> didn\u2019t immediately respond to HuffPost\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, reacted to a photograph of Hochul wearing a hijab at the time, writing on X<\/a>, \u201cUm, wut?\u201d<\/p>\n