Michael Rapaport has once again voiced his strong opposition to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, this time condemning the post-game violence that erupted after the New York Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
Rapaport's Criticism on Social Media
The actor, known for his roles in Atypical and Deep Blue Sea, took to X to share videos of chaotic clashes between fans at outdoor watch parties, with NYPD officers patrolling the area. In his posts, Rapaport wrote, “These ain’t Knick fans or Basketball fans. This is embarrassing for NYC, D*** STAIN ZORON MANDAMI refer to this as ‘kids being kids.’ Not on my watch, RAPAPORT 2029.”
Longstanding Grudge Against Mamdani
Rapaport has been a vocal critic of Mamdani, largely due to the mayor’s left-wing Democratic socialist policies, which the actor strongly opposes. He has also been a staunch advocate for Israel, frequently attacking Mamdani over his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his handling of city affairs. Earlier this year, Rapaport announced his intention to run for mayor in 2029, describing Mamdani as “a stain at the helm.”
Appeal to Fans
In another video, Rapaport urged true Knicks fans to stay home to avoid the violent behavior of what he called “bad stupid apples” who “don’t respect authority.” He concluded the clip with “Knicks in six,” demonstrating his loyalty to the team despite the chaos.
Mamdani's Response
Sam Raskin, Mamdani’s spokesperson, issued a statement addressing the incidents. “New Yorkers are understandably passionate about the Knicks, and the overwhelming majority of fans watched the game last night in ways that were both safe and fun. But the fights and other disruptive incidents — including assaults on police officers — in various parts of the city are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. As the NBA finals continue, Mayor Mamdani wants all New Yorkers to celebrate and enjoy this run across the city while respecting one another.”
Rapaport's Mayoral Strategy
During a recent interview with News Nation’s Chris Cuomo, Rapaport elaborated on his plans. “I won’t do it the way any other political person has ever done it,” he said. “The only way to beat this guy is to make it and take it with New York City street fight mentality. There’s no way to out-nice him. There’s no way out-slick him. I think that he’s the greatest bull crapper in the history of politicians … and that’s saying a lot.” He insisted that “New York City needs to do something” and added, “We need to plan right now because 2029 is around the corner, and, yes, I’m running for mayor of New York City. And I will only drop out until I feel like there’s somebody who’s more qualified that could actually beat Zohran the moron.”
Rapaport emphasized that his campaign would be a “dogfight,” stating, “My bark is a lot louder than my bite. There’s no way to out-finesse this guy, out-smile this guy. It has to be ugly, and that’s what I will do in my campaign.”
