Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport launched a strong attack on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a gathering of Jewish community members outside Gracie Mansion on Friday.
“Zohran the moron is the most divisive mayor in the history of this city by far,” Rapaport stated. “He’s just a two-bit con man.”
He added harsh criticisms, saying, “His wife is an antisemite. His wife is a racist” and also described her as “homophobic.”
The mayor’s office responded to inquiries by referencing Mamdani’s earlier comments about the planned gathering. He mentioned, “I welcome them. They can have a vigil, or I’ve heard some describe it even as a protest.” He further explained that they have the space to assemble outside Gracie Mansion, indicating that he would likely be elsewhere during that time.
Rapaport expressed serious consideration about running for mayor himself, although he seemed open to supporting another candidate if they had a better chance at winning. The next mayoral election in New York City will take place in 2029.
Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, the principal of SAR Academy, shared details about the gathering in a recent piece. He explained that students from various schools would gather on East 88th Street to pray, sing, and engage in briefly speaking. He emphasized the event as a way for students to connect with the city, express their feelings of vulnerability, and exercise their rights to civic engagement.
Additionally, there were some Jewish counter-protesters nearby who voiced anti-Israel sentiments, displaying signs with messages like, “Mayor Mamdani A Friend of Jews While Opposing Israeli Crimes” and asserting that “Anti-Zionism Is NOT Anti-Semitism.”
