Mamdani withdraws from CBS interview due to Bari Weiss’s social media comment

New York City’s Mayor Zoran Mamdani has reportedly pulled out of an interview with CBS News, following social media posts from CBS Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.

According to Vanity Fair, Mamdani was set to meet with Robert Costa for a segment on “CBS Sunday Morning,” but he was hesitant, particularly due to the backlash Weiss had received through her online outlet, The Free Press.

Sources indicated that Weiss backs the sharp remarks made by Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, a new contributor to CBS News, who criticized Mamdani for his condemnation of Operation Epic Fury aimed at the Iranian government.

Alinejad, during a CBS News report addressing the conflict, expressed her dismay, saying, “Mr. Mamdani, you are welcome to come to my safe house.” She continued, questioning his emotional response to safety concerns about public transport while a serious threat looms from the Iranian regime.

Weiss’s acknowledgment of Alinejad’s comments, followed by a flame emoji, seems to have escalated tensions. A source described this interaction as the “nail in the coffin” for Mamdani’s interview.

A former CBS producer remarked, “Bahri and his associates have a clear ax to grind with him. It’s difficult to convince others to join CBS right now.”

As of now, neither CBS News nor Mamdani’s office has provided any comments regarding the incident.