Kit Roberts
Michael Rapaport has said that he intends to run for mayor of New York in 2029.
The actor, who is a virulent supporter of Israel, has made no secret of his intense dislike of Zohran Mamdani who was sworn in as mayor of New York City on New Year's Day. Mamdani's victory has been welcomed by many in the largest city in the US, who view it as a break from the status quo of the democratic party.
After interviewing Trump voters on the streets, Mamdani ran a successful campaign focussed on making New York City affordable, including policies aimed at managing rising rents and cost of groceries.
But Rapaport has frequently gone out of his way to criticize New York City's first Muslim mayor, and has now taken his opposition to the extent that he has announced that he intends to run against Mamdani in 2029.
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Beginning his I Am Rapaport podcast on Monday, the actor opened with a bizarre greeting, saying: "Welcome to the ziggy zone of disruption. My name is Michael Rapaport, a.k.a. Mayor Rapaport. Mr. Mayor Rapaport, a.k.a. The Gringo Mandingo, a.k.a. The Enflamed Ashkenazi, a.k.a. The Sultan of Sniff."
Throughout the episode, the actor referred to himself as 'Mayor Rapaport', before making the big reveal at the end of the episode.
"Let me tell you something, guys, girls, women, children of all ages," he began. "2025 was crazy, and I don't see it getting any f*cking calmer or cooler in 2026, the way things started. That's why I'm running for mayor."
He added: "Born. Raised. NYC. Nothing's free. No bullsh*t. No fake grins. I'll own my mistakes, apologize when I screw up, and fight to make this city safe, affordable, and thriving.
"You got Zoron [sic] the Moron now... Mayor Rapaport is coming."
In a tirade, the actor added: "He's got a f*cking evil f*cking grin. And I think he's up to no good."
Rapaport is not alone in criticizing Mamdani, with Debra Messing making extreme comments directed at Mamdani's politics and his religion in which she called Mamdani 'an actual communist jihadist' and 'a literal Karl Marx-quoting, America-hating jihadist'.
Mamdani has previously described himself as a 'democratic socialist' and was open about his Muslim faith throughout his campaign.
In his inaugural speech, Mamdani said: "I stand alongside over one million New Yorkers who voted for this day nearly two months ago, and I stand just as resolutely alongside those who did not.
"I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken.
"And while only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your Mayor.
"Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you."