A prominent American actor and comedian has criticized Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City, for what he perceives as hypocrisy regarding Mamdani’s portrayal of a “working-class” persona.
Michael Rapaport, renowned for his portrayal of Gary in the popular sitcom “Friends,” ridiculed Mamdani in a scathing social media post after observing him dining at a high-end sushi restaurant in Manhattan. Rapaport questioned how Mamdani, who presents himself as a working-class advocate, could afford such lavish dining experiences while residing in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens.
In a tweet, the comedian remarked, “This clown resides in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens but indulges in upscale dining as if on a Qatar-funded per diem. Who is footing the bill for that toro, ‘Zoron the Moron’? You are not working class – you are fraud class.”
Rapaport also shared the same images on Instagram, speculating whether Mamdani used public transportation or a ride-hailing service to return to his rent-stabilized Queens apartment. He expressed support for Mamdani’s primary opponent, former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent.
Mamdani, a self-professed democratic socialist, has surged ahead of Cuomo in public opinion polls by emphasizing the high cost of living in New York City. The 34-year-old, born to affluent parents including Mumbai-born Ugandan author Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, has proposed an ambitious agenda that includes freezing rent for many New Yorkers and providing free city bus service, financed by increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy.
Despite Rapaport’s social media post, which garnered backlash, with some questioning the attack on Mamdani for simply dining out, Mamdani’s candidacy has gained momentum, receiving endorsements from notable figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as consistent support from grassroots donors.
The criticism directed at Mamdani by the actor-comedian has sparked debate on social media platforms, with contrasting views on the controversy surrounding Mamdani’s dining choice and the implications for his political campaign.