January 7, 2026 NEW YORK CITY — The honeymoon period for New York’s newest mayor, Zohran Mamdani, didn't even last a week before a loud, familiar voice from the Upper East Side decided to blow it up.
Michael Rapaport, the actor and prolific podcaster known for his unfiltered "Zone of Disruption," has officially declared war on City Hall. Just five days after Mamdani took the oath of office, Rapaport announced he is running for Mayor of New York City in 2029 to scrub what he calls a “stain at the helm.”
"No Fake Grins, No Bullshit"
The 55-year-old Friends alum didn't hold back on the latest episode of his I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast. Fresh off a 2025 that he described as "crazy," Rapaport told his listeners that the state of the city under Mamdani’s leadership is his "villain origin story."
In a fiery Instagram post that quickly went viral, Rapaport laid out his initial platform:
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NYC Born & Raised: Emphasizing his lifelong roots in the city.
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Accountability: "I’ll own my mistakes, apologize when I screw up."
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Safety & Affordability: A direct shot at Mamdani's progressive "rent freeze" and "free bus" promises.
Why the Blood is Boiling
The feud is deeply personal and political. Rapaport has been a fierce critic of Mamdani’s stance on Israel and his initial refusal to call for the disarmament of Hamas following the October 7 attacks. On his podcast, the actor labeled the new mayor "Zohran the Zero" and "Zohran the Ziophobe," accusing the Democratic Socialist of faking his working-class persona.
"He’s got a fucking evil fucking grin," Rapaport told his audience, "and I think he’s up to no good."
Can a Podcaster Win City Hall?
While Mamdani rode a wave of anti-establishment sentiment—defeating heavyweights like Andrew Cuomo—to become the city's first Muslim mayor, Rapaport is betting that New Yorkers will eventually sour on the Mayor's "expensive" vision. Mamdani's platform of city-run supermarkets
