“Saturday Night Live” Takes Aim at Zoran Mamdani

The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” had sharp words for Zoran Mamdani, critiquing what it called his hollow commitments and poking fun at his appeals to white guilt in a parody of the New York mayoral election.

During the show, comedian Ramy Youssef delivered a humorous take on Mamdani’s promises, embodying the Democratic frontrunner and highlighting his ever-present, somewhat vacant smile.

When Debate Chair Kenan Thompson asked why anyone would want the “worst job in the world,” Youssef, as Mamdani, asserted his desire to create a “better New York.” Then, he hesitated, admitting that those ideas might be unrealistic.

“Free health care, affordable housing, free WiFi,” he listed, adding, “Can we make that happen? I guess we’re not sure yet. But together, we’ll discover… the answer is probably no.”

The sketch also included guest appearances by Miles Teller as Andrew Cuomo and Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa. It mockingly showcased Mamdani’s “Hot Girls for Zoran” campaign, portraying his supporters as gentrifiers.

When the speaker prompted him to address undecided voters, Mamdani spoke earnestly into the camera, seemingly transformed by a heart-themed filter.

“Hey, girl,” he began, asking, “You know white folks are feeling a bit guilty about gentrifying neighborhoods, right? So, why not vote for me?” He continued, “Helping ease the transition from that beloved chicken and rice spot to a Sweetgreen might be a solid step.”

Polling indicates that Mamdani is gaining traction in Democratic primaries within areas like Ridgewood, Bushwick, and Bed-Stuy—neighborhoods often associated with gentrification.

Later, James Austin Johnson, reprising his role as President Trump, lampooned Mamdani. “Here we have the frontrunner, Zoran Mamdani. It looks like the guy from SubwayTakes has landed a gig at McKinsey,” he quipped.

Johnson followed up with a reminder of Mamdani’s perceived guilt over local changes, prompting a rebuttal from Thompson, who reminded him, “Mr. Mamdani, this is not your TikTok forum.”