Michael Rapaport Discusses Shift in Views on Donald Trump

Michael Rapaport recently shared how his perspective on President Donald Trump has evolved amidst global events during an episode of Jamie Kennedy’s podcast, “Hate to Break It to Ya.” The comedian, now 56, reflected on how he shifted from derogatory remarks to a more respectful approach.

When Kennedy asked, “You were mad at Trump. Are you cool with Trump now?” Rapaport responded affirmatively but added, “I have a problem, and he’s… not without rage.”

Rapaport noted that his views began to shift after the attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the abduction of numerous hostages. He explained, “After October 7th, I realized the scale and scope of the hostage situation, and it was between a dead Joe Biden and Trump and Kamala… I knew there was only one way to free the hostages… [Trump].”

He questioned why he should continue to insult Trump when the priority was to bring the hostages home. “I could have been disrespectful, but it was enough just to take the hostages home… without being disrespectful,” he expressed.

Rappaport mentioned that following his advocacy in Israel—where he has visited nine times in recent years—he gained perspective. “The exposure and conversations I had with hostage families opened my eyes,” he said. He recalled begging and praying for their safe return, emphasizing that this mission made it unnecessary for him to be disrespectful toward Trump.

Although some fans reached out, upset that he had stopped disparaging Trump, Rapaport urged them to “carry the torch,” suggesting that Trump was no longer focused on criticizing him as well. “For me, it was enough to bring the hostages home and to protect Israel’s right to exist,” he admitted, acknowledging that others might not share his views.

He expressed that while he’s still critical, especially of various aspects, it was important to change his tone for the sake of that mission. “Years ago, when I first started insulting Trump publicly, I wasn’t as well-informed about politics as I am now,” he remarked, adding that acknowledging past mistakes is a sign of growth.

Shifting gears, Rapaport also hinted at his ambition to run for mayor of New York City in 2029, stating, “I’ve never thought about running for mayor, but I’m going to do it with the best intentions.” He conveyed that he would approach the campaign differently than other politicians, indicating it’s essential to take on the challenge with the grit characteristic of New York City.

“There’s no way to outsmart him. I think he’s the biggest bull-whacker in history… and that’s saying something,” he concluded, emphasizing that the campaign would require a tough, unwavering stance.