Zohran Mamdani made history on Thursday as New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor, taking the oath during a private midnight ceremony at the historic Old City Hall subway station.As the 34-year-old became the city’s second-youngest mayor, swore in on a Quran from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center collection—his inauguration quickly dominated social media, not just for its historic significance but for the gestures, words, and cultural flourishes that followed.
From a disputed wave gesture to heartfelt family tributes and a lively Punjabi music performance, there were several moments from the swearing in ceremony that have gone viral.
Nazi salute controversy over hand gesture
The most debated moment came after videos showed Mamdani briefly extending his right arm while addressing the crowd. Some MAGA supporters claimed the gesture resembled a Nazi salute, with a few comparing it to a controversial gesture made by billionaire Elon Musk during a rally for President Donald Trump in January 2025. The New York mayor’s office did not immediately respond to the online claims. However, several users pushed back, calling the comparison misleading and politically motivated, noting the movement occurred during a moment of emphasis. In the viral clip, Mamdani is seen smiling, placing his right hand on his chest before waving to the crowd.
‘From Kampala to Delhi ‘ line strikes a chord
Another widely shared moment was Mamdani’s reference to his roots while thanking his family from “Kampala to Delhi.” The line resonated strongly online, with many praising the mayor for openly embracing his multicultural background. Born in Kampala to a Ugandan father and Indian filmmaker mother Mira Nair, Mamdani highlighted his journey across continents, drawing loud applause at the ceremony and positive reactions on social media.Thanking his parents and his wife, Rama Duwaji, Mamdani said their support had shaped his journey. “Thank you to my family, from Kampala to Dilli,” he said, to loud applause.
Punjabi beats take over the subway ceremony
The inauguration concluded on a celebratory note inside a New York subway station, where Toronto-based Punjabi artist Babbulicious performed his popular track “Gaddi Red Challenger.” Mamdani and his wife were seen singing and dancing along as hundreds joined in. Sharing pictures from the event, the singer wrote, “NEW YORK VICH MUNDA RENDA!!!” Netizens flooded social media with reactions, calling it “the best part of the inauguration” and describing it as a joyful, multicultural crossover that captured the spirit of the city.ID@undefined Caption not available.
Emotional thanks to his wife and parents
Mamdani also thanked his parents, who were present at the swearing-in, crediting them for shaping his values and journey. He paid special tribute to his wife, Rama Duwaji, calling her his “best friend” and thanking her for “always showing me the beauty in everyday things.” Clips of the emotional moment were widely shared, with netizens applauding the warmth and personal tone of the address.
