Blakeman and the 9/11 'Truthers': Why New York's GOP Governor Candidate Is Facing Backlash

Bruce Blakeman, the 70-year-old Nassau County executive and Republican candidate for New York governor, has drawn sharp criticism after appearing with several figures who promote 9/11 conspiracy theories. What began as local campaign activity has become a political liability in a state where many voters — and elected officials — remain sensitive to the legacy of the attacks.

Endorsement of Joel Anabilah-Azumah

Last week Blakeman offered a "full endorsement" to Joel Anabilah-Azumah, a Republican running in Brooklyn's 9th Congressional District. Anabilah-Azumah, known locally as the founder of a citywide private bus company and a former volleyball coach, has publicly asserted that 9/11 "was an inside job." In social posts he claimed that unusual stock trades before the attacks suggested inside involvement.

“9/11 was an inside job. I don't even bother to argue it any more. You don't have to believe it, but that is what happened and history is pretty clear on that,” Anabilah-Azumah wrote on the platform Xin 2024.

Federal investigators — including the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission — concluded in 2004 that the pre-9/11 stock trades were not connected to terrorism and showed no evidence of insider knowledge. Anabilah-Azumah also offered his bus service to transport MAGA protesters to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and publicly called for pardons for those arrested in the riot.

Other Problematic Alliances

Blakeman has also filmed campaign material with Marcus C. Williams, a former Republican candidate for the New York State Assembly, who in a December video claimed 9/11 "was planned and executed by the Zionists." In video clips Williams posted, Blakeman praised him: “We're gonna win because of people like you, Marcus.” Reports indicate Blakeman later chose not to widely circulate some of the endorsement footage.

Controversy Over 9/11 Memorial Participation

Blakeman publicly objected to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's planned participation in the 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial, saying Mamdani was “not welcome” because he had not disavowed the slogan “Globalize the intifada.” There is no evidence linking Palestinian liberation movements to the Al Qaeda attacks, and Blakeman's position echoed a widely shared July report claiming thousands of 9/11 families opposed Mamdani — a report later debunked when its creator conceded the petition contained unverifiable signatures.

Responses and Repercussions

Local Democratic leaders condemned Blakeman's associations. Representative Jerry Nadler, whose district includes Ground Zero, called it “downright appalling” that a gubernatorial candidate would campaign with “dyed-in-the-wool 9/11 conspiracy theorists.” Representative Nydia Velázquez, who has long advocated for 9/11 victims and their families, criticized Blakeman for recording endorsements and campaign videos with people promoting false and hurtful claims about the attacks.

When asked, Anabilah-Azumah told The New Republic his comments were meant as criticism of the post-9/11 policy shifts, saying he believes elements within the U.S. government used the attacks to justify expanded surveillance and long wars — a position that keeps him firmly labeled a conspiracy theorist by critics.

What This Means For Blakeman

Blakeman's outreach to controversial figures has invited scrutiny at a sensitive political moment. In a state where many voters — particularly in districts near Ground Zero — hold 9/11 survivors, first responders, and victims' families in close regard, alliances with public figures who question or blame parties without evidence risk alienating moderates and energizing critics.

Bottom line: Blakeman's ties to candidates and operatives who promote debunked or inflammatory 9/11 claims have become a notable vulnerability in his gubernatorial bid, prompting strong public rebukes from elected Democrats and community leaders.