A man dressed in fire department uniform was filmed verbally confronting a pro-Palestinian protester wearing an Elmo costume with a Palestinian flag near Ground Zero in New York on Friday, calling him "anti-American" during the city's 25th anniversary commemoration of the 11 September 2001 attacks. The confrontation, captured by Turning Point USA and shared on X, comes amid heightened tension in New York over the war in Gaza, with the man also naming several political figures, including former President Barack Obama and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in his outburst.

The FDNY confirmed the individual was not one of its members, stating he appeared to belong to another fire department. Following the altercation, an unidentified voice in the video could be heard shouting that "the Jews are committing a genocide." The incident occurred as world leaders and dignitaries, including all living former US presidents and Vice President JD Vance, attended the Ground Zero ceremony, while President Donald Trump delivered a keynote address at the Pentagon's separate 9/11 commemoration.