Riley Gaines Brutally Mocks NYC Socialist Mamdani After Embarrassing Gym Fail Goes Viral [WATCH]

Swimmer and commentator Riley Gaines is the latest to mock New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani for his widely ridiculed gym performance over the weekend, as reported by The New York Post.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, participated in the Men’s Day open streets event in Brooklyn on Saturday, where he attempted to bench press 135 pounds.

The lift drew attention after video showed him struggling and needing help from a spotter to complete the attempt. The footage quickly spread online, earning Mamdani the nickname “Mamscrawny.”

Zohran Mamdani can’t bench press 135 lbs…

So like a good socialist, someone else basically does all the work for him and he celebrates like he did it himself.

Yikes.
pic.twitter.com/Cc0AYYeuTN

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 24, 2025

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Gaines, who has become outspoken on political and cultural issues since competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in NCAA races, joined in the criticism.

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On Monday, she shared a video of herself from 2022 bench pressing more than her body weight with ease, contrasting her performance with Mamdani’s.

“165lb relatively easy reps on a bench when I weighed 130lbs,” Gaines wrote, posting the clip alongside Mamdani’s video. “Take note, Zohran Mamdani,” she added.

165lb relatively easy reps on bench when I weighed 130lbs

Take note, @ZohranKMamdani pic.twitter.com/TNyv28VkgE

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 24, 2025

In a separate post, Gaines made clear she was unimpressed by the mayoral candidate’s showing. “I’m not saying we should judge politicians for how much they can bench but I’m absolutely judging a politician for how much he can bench,” she wrote on X.

Mamdani’s struggles also drew attention from his political rivals.

Current Mayor Eric Adams, 64, demonstrated his own bench press strength at the same event using the same weight and spotter without assistance. “64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,” Adams wrote on X.

He added: “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”

64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves.

The weight of the job is too heavy for “Mamscrawny.” The only thing he can lift is your taxes. pic.twitter.com/HR6fDPKn0B

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) August 24, 2025

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also weighed in on Mamdani’s failed lift. “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world,” Cuomo said.

It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to carry the burden.

This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world. https://t.co/kKB61LGojY

— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) August 24, 2025

X user @FreeThinkerFit had this to say: “70-year-old RFK Jr. makes 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani look incredibly weak on bench press.”

70 year old RFK Jr. makes 33 year old Zohran Mamdani look incredibly weak on bench press. pic.twitter.com/MQh8s9W3o2

— FreeThinkerFitness (@FreeThinkerFit) August 24, 2025

The viral moment added another layer of scrutiny to Mamdani’s mayoral bid. Already facing challenges from Adams and Cuomo, his performance at the public event quickly became a talking point, amplified by critics and political rivals alike.

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