In a dramatic political announcement, actor and podcast host Michael Rapaport has declared his intention to run for Mayor of New York City, setting his sights on unseating the newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Rapaport, a native New Yorker, made the declaration on his I Am Rapaport podcast on Monday, framing his candidacy as a direct challenge to what he calls Mamdani's leadership.
A Podcast Bombshell and a Social Media Tease
The announcement, while delivered with his characteristic bombast, was not entirely unexpected. Rapaport revealed he had first hinted at his political ambitions in an Instagram post on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026—the very same day Mamdani was sworn into office on the Quran. The post read, in part: "Born. Raised. NYC. Nothing’s free. No bulls—... You got Zoron the Moron now… Mayor Rapaport is coming."
He further teased the move during a recent appearance on the Boundless Insights podcast with host Aviva Klompas, stating he would be announcing his "candidacy in the next election for mayor of New York." On his own show, after referring to himself as "Mayor Rapaport" throughout the episode, he made it official to his listeners.
Roots of a Political Feud
Rapaport's mayoral bid is the culmination of months of intense criticism directed at Mamdani. The actor has been a vocal opponent since Mamdani emerged as the Democratic frontrunner in the summer of 2025, often targeting the mayor's Muslim faith and, more prominently, his criticism of Israel. Rapaport has frequently used crude language and derogatory nicknames like "Zohran the Zero" and "Zohran the Ziophobe" to describe the mayor.
In his latest podcast, Rapaport escalated his rhetoric, calling Mamdani a "s— stain at the helm" of New York City and predicting the mayor would "supersede our wildest fears and expectations." He accused Mamdani of having an "evil f—ing grin" and being "up to no good," while also criticizing the mayor's ambitious campaign promises as unrealistic.
The "Rapaport Platform" vs. Mamdani's Vision
While light on specific policy details, Rapaport's platform appears to be built in direct opposition to Mamdani's perceived progressivism. He has repeatedly emphasized that under his leadership, "ain’t nothing gonna be for free in my New York City," a clear rebuttal to some of Mamdani's social program proposals. He frames himself as a no-nonsense, accountable leader from the city, stating he will "own my mistakes, apologize when I screw up, and fight to make this city safe, affordable, and thriving."
Following his announcement, Rapaport asked fans to send in their resumes, indicating he is beginning to assemble a campaign team and is "taking it as far as I can take it." He also requested to be called "Mayor Rap."
The actor's entry into the race adds a highly unconventional and media-savvy element to New York City's political landscape. With his significant social media following and history of inflammatory commentary, a Rapaport campaign is likely to focus intense scrutiny on Mayor Mamdani's early tenure and policy decisions. Whether this celebrity challenge gains serious political traction remains to be seen, but it guarantees that the next New York City mayoral election will be anything but ordinary.
