Bold Shake‑Up: Actor Michael Rapaport Launches 2029 NYC Mayoral Bid Challenging Mamdani

If there’s one thing Michael Rapaport isn’t known for, it’s keeping his mouth shut. The loudmouthed actor, famous for playing every quintessential New Yorker from “Friends” to “True Romance,” has officially thrown his hat into the political ring. Yes, you read that right. The actor who played Phoebe Buffay’s cop boyfriend Gary on “Friends” – who once shot a bird on her windowsill – is now gunning for City Hall in 2029.

Michael Rapaport’s 2029 Campaign 

In a move that feels equal parts fever dream and inevitable reality TV plot twist, Rapaport announced on New Year’s Eve that he plans to run for Mayor of New York City in 2029. His target? The newly sworn-in mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Rapaport didn’t exactly mince words when laying out his platform (or lack thereof). Taking to X (formerly Twitter) and his own “I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast,” the 55-year-old comedian unleashed a tirade against Mamdani, dubbing him “Zohran the Moron” and “Zohran the Zero.” It’s the kind of schoolyard name-calling that would make a frantic reality show producer blush, but for Rapaport, it’s just another Tuesday.

Campaign Promises: What’s the Rub? 

So, what is the Mayor Rapaport campaign actually promising? Well, not very much. Literally. His campaign slogan might as well be “You Get Nothing!” He emphasized that under his watch, absolutely nothing will be free. While Mamdani swept into office on a progressive wave promising “free buses” and “rent freezes,” Rapaport is swinging hard in the other direction. On Instagram he declared: 

“I will do my best to make New York City affordable, but you will be getting nothing for free.” 

Let’s see if it pays off. Rappaport said he didn’t see the city any calmer or cooler in 2026, and further stated he aims to make New York City safe. On his podcast, Rapaport has been sharply critical of the socialist mayor. In fact, he even compared Mamdani to controversial past political figures such as Stalin and Mussolini. 

Friction Between Michael Rapaport and Zohran Mamdani

The beef between Rapaport and Mamdani isn’t new. Rapaport has been a vocal critic of the Democratic Socialist since Mamdani’s 2025 campaign gained traction. The actor has frequently attacked Mamdani’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict and his general political vibe, claiming Mamdani has an “evil grin” and is “up to no good.” It’s clear this isn’t just about policy for Rapaport; it’s personal, loud – and often aggressive.

But is this actually happening? Rapaport hasn’t filed any official paperwork yet. He hasn’t hired a campaign manager (though he did ask for resumes on Instagram, which is… a choice). For now, it seems like he’s just a guy with a podcast and a lot of opinions, shouting into the digital void. But in a post-2016 world, dismissing a celebrity run for office might be a rookie mistake. Stranger things have happened, and New York politics is nothing if not a circus – of the five-ring variety. 

The 2029 NYC Mayoral Ballot 

For fans of Rapaport, this is just another extension of his “tell it like it is” persona. For his detractors, it’s a nightmare scenario of another celebrity ego going unchecked. Whether he actually makes it to the ballot in 2029 remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: he’s not going to let us forget about it anytime soon.

While we wait to see if Rapaport actually trades learning lines for legislation, let’s look back at the medium where he (arguably) shines brightest. If we’re talking about heroes – or at least, people trying to save the day – television has plenty of options better equipped for the job than a podcast host.