New York Governor Kathy Hochul wore a black hijab last Friday. She addressed a crowd at an Islamic center in New York. Just as the country readies for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, this occurred. Daily Wire reported the video showed her speaking to Muslim religious and community leaders. The event took place on August 30, 2026. Critics say the timing was not a coincidence.
“Feminist icon” NY Governor Hochul just put on a hijab for Muslim men pic.twitter.com/D1RfqBqnf1
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 30, 2026
Hochul thanked Mr. Tareq Albanai and the local imam during her speech. She said she wanted them to feel part of the family. The Islamic Center of New York publicized the visit on their social media. This was not her first time wearing the headscarf. At the July 2025 funeral for slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam, she had worn one before.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) blasted the move on social media. He posted a photo of the governor in the headscarf. “Democrats: ‘Sexist Republicans are turning America into the Handmaid’s Tale” appeared in his post. Also Democrats: He highlighted the contrast between their words and actions. The photo quickly spread across social media platforms.
Democrats: “Sexist Republicans are turning America into the Handmaid’s Tale!”
Also Democrats: pic.twitter.com/7lWhOtvXFN
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) August 30, 2026
RedState noted that other female Democratic leaders have done the same. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have worn hijabs. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have also done it. The goal appears to be appealing to Muslim voters. Democrats have long used Margaret Atwood’s book “The Handmaid’s Tale” to attack conservatives.
They claim conservative policies will turn America into a totalitarian state called “Gilead.” In 2024, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) claimed we were living in the book. She said, “we’re living in the Handmaid’s Tale – in the state of Arizona.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) agreed that fears of a GOP-led “Gilead” were “not hyperbolic.” Joy Reid and Sunny Hostin have also used the analogy frequently.
Some critics argue the hijab symbolizes a woman’s humility before Allah. One social media user asked if Hochul knows she is a second-class citizen to them. Another user posted, “Best I can do is a hijab.” This comment mocked her lack of policy solutions. The message was clear: she chose a symbol over substance.
— Jared Marsh (@Real_JaredMarsh) August 30, 2026
The visit occurred at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. This location has a controversial history. In an interview after the 9/11 attacks, then-imam Sheik Muhammad Gemeaha blamed the Jews. He claimed “only the Jews” were capable of destroying the World Trade Center. He added that if people knew, they would do to Jews what Hitler did. Hochul recently pledged to increase security for Jewish communities.
She made this promise during remarks at Shabbat services in Manhattan. She said she wanted “to increase security for synagogues and Jewish communities across the state ahead of the High Holidays.” This pledge came while she was visiting the very center where the anti-Semitic comments were made. The contradiction has drawn sharp attention from critics.
Does she know that even as a mayor, she is a 2nd class citizen to them? They probably aren’t even listening to her… pic.twitter.com/7mTlgTgwO7
— Umm Imagine (@UmmImagine) August 30, 2026
Some observers wonder if the governor is aware of the history. The imam’s past comments are a matter of public record. Hochul’s visit seems to ignore that history. She thanked the leaders without mentioning the past. The silence speaks louder than her words. The community is left to wonder about the true intent.
The next step is the High Holidays. Security measures will be in place for synagogues. The governor’s promise stands. But the image of her in the hijab lingers. It raises questions about loyalty and values. The 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches.
