A viral photo of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in Astoria has sparked both praise and criticism. The image, shared on social media, highlights their collaboration ahead of Sanders’ rally in Brooklyn, where he is supporting Mamdani’s mayoral bid. While fans celebrated the unity of progressive figures, online critics mocked the trio, some suggesting they were ‘millionaires’ criticizing socialism.
The photo, posted around 3:36 p.m., quickly garnering over 350,000 views, shows the three in a casual setting, captioned as ‘A perfect afternoon in Astoria.’ The trio has been active in progressive causes, with Sanders and Mamdani marching in Manhattan’s Labor Day parade together, holding a ‘Power in Unity’ banner. Mamdani, a democratic socialist focused on affordability, has promised free buses and state-operated grocery stores funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Sanders, 84, has used his ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour to uplift younger progressives like Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez.
Meanwhile, the photo also triggered blowback, with some users mocking the trio for their perceived class status. ‘Three millionaires talking about socialism,’ one user posted. Another joked, ‘The last thing your money sees before it dies.’ Others wrote, ‘3 communists walk into a bar, they demanded the workers pay for everything.’
Mamdani is expected to appear on stage with Sanders at his rally scheduled for 6:00 pm at Brooklyn College’s Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts. His campaign has received significant grassroots support, capping donations at $8 million. Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, also participated in the Labor Day parade, showing the broad support for progressive policies within the party.
The event is expected to bring together key figures in New York’s progressive movement, with Mamdani set to appear on stage with Sanders at his rally in Brooklyn. Both remain popular with the left wing of New York Democrats, reflecting the growing influence of democratic socialist ideas in the state’s political landscape.