NYC Mayoral Candidate Criticizes Colbert’s Questions on Israel

Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, recently voiced his concerns regarding some questionable “games” that unfolded during his appearance on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert.

In a discussion with The New Yorker, Mamdani reflected on a moment he had with the show’s producers before his June appearance, just a day before Colbert, identifying as a Democratic socialist, officially became the Democratic nominee. This was the time when Jewish organizations were urging Colbert to inquire about Mamdani’s stance on Israel.

The New Yorker detailed the pre-show dynamics, noting that producers approached Mamdani just before he was set to go on air, asking for additional questions. One producer suggested a rapid-fire “yes or no” segment focused on sensitive topics like Hamas and Palestinian statehood.

Mamdani described his reaction as one of disbelief, expressing that it was shocking to see something as serious as genocide being trivialized into a late-night segment. His supporters were equally upset; one aide reminded producers that Mamdani is the first Muslim mayoral candidate in New York City and questioned why they would not address significant aspects of his identity.

So far, “The Late Show” has not publicly commented on the situation. During the program, Colbert pressed Mamdani about the Israel-Hamas conflict and rising concerns related to antisemitism, specifically asking if he believed Israel has a right to exist, which Mamdani affirmed while emphasizing the need for upholding international law.

Colbert also directly pointed out the fears expressed by some in the Jewish community who worry that Mamdani’s potential election could escalate antisemitism. In response, Mamdani acknowledged the origins of these fears, relating them to recent violent attacks and personal anecdotes about heightened security concerns among Jewish individuals.

He shared stories illustrating the real impact of these concerns, including a friend’s experience at a synagogue where apprehension had suddenly taken hold and another individual locking doors that had remained open for years—a reflection of the current climate of fear surrounding antisemitism.

Mamdani committed to tackle the issue head-on, proposing a significant boost in funding for anti-hate crime initiatives. He reiterated to Colbert that discussing antisemitism isn’t enough; it demands actionable solutions. Colbert interjected to clarify that, fundamentally, all forms of violence are unjustifiable, to which Mamdani agreed wholeheartedly.

As the mayoral race unfolds, Mamdani maintains a notable lead in the polls despite the competition tightening after the resignation of the current mayor, Eric Adams. Recent polling shows Mamdani with 46% support, ahead of former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 33%, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trailing with 15%.