Mamdani slams Colbert show for pitching ‘game’ to discuss Israel-Hamas war

Democratic New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Present” threw a “recreation” that he discovered inappropriate.

In an interview Talking to The New Yorker, Mamdani recalled a dialog with Colbert’s producers forward of his late look in June, simply sooner or later earlier than the self-described democratic socialist clinched the Democratic nomination.

At the moment, Jewish groups urged Colbert to grill Mamdani about his views on Israel.

“Simply earlier than the candidates went on stage, the producers appeared within the greenroom and stated they needed to undergo just a few extra questions,” The New Yorker described the state of affairs on Thursday. “In response to individuals within the viewers, one of many producers instructed a ‘thumbs up or thumbs down’ section: ‘Thumbs up or thumbs down: Hamas. Thumbs up or thumbs down: A Palestinian state.'”

COLBERT GRILLS DEM SOCIALIST NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI ON ISRAEL, ANTISEMITISM

New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani recalled a clumsy dialog he had with one in every of Stephen Colbert’s producers earlier than his look on the “Late Present.” (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS through Getty Photographs)

“Mamdani’s face fell. ‘I simply could not consider what was occurring,’ Mamdani informed the journal. ‘{That a} genocide may very well be distilled right down to a nighttime match.'”

Mamdani’s aides had been “outraged,” with one telling the producer, “You have got the primary Muslim candidate for mayor within the historical past of New York.” … Do not you wish to ask him a query about that?’

A spokesperson for “The Late Present” didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.

Colbert pressed Mamdani for a number of minutes concerning the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the rising considerations about it anti-Semitism.

“Does the State of Israel have a proper to exist?” Colbert requested.

“Sure,” Mamdani replied. “Like all nations, I consider that the nation has a proper to exist and in addition a duty to uphold worldwide legislation.”

ISRAEL CALLS PROMINENT DEMOCRAT ‘MOUTH PIECE FOR HAMAS’ IN BLISTERING OCTOBER. 7 POST

Democratic New York Metropolis mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks to supporters at a canvas launch occasion in Prospect Park on August 17, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox Information Digital)

The liberal late-night host, who repeatedly emphasised that he didn’t categorical any assist for the mayoral race, acknowledged the “elephant within the room” and pointed to the “worry” inside the Jewish neighborhood concerning the rise of anti-Semitism and what would occur if New York Metropolis elected Mamdani, a far-left Muslim and an outspoken critic of Israel.

“They’re very upset by a few of the stuff you’ve stated up to now, they usually’re frightened that your mayorship would truly result in extra anti-Semitism, they usually suppose that will be extra harmful for them,” Colbert informed Mamdani. “What do you say to these New Yorkers who’re afraid that you just would not be their mayor, that you just would not defend them?”

“You recognize, I do know the place that worry comes from,” Mamdani replied. “It is a worry primarily based on the horrific assaults we have seen in Washington, D.C., in Boulder, Colorado, and it is a worry that I additionally hear from New Yorkers themselves.”

“You recognize, just some days after the horrific conflict crime of October 7, a buddy of mine informed me how he was going to his synagogue for Shabbat companies, and he heard the door open behind him. And a tremor went by his backbone as he rotated, not figuring out who was there and what they meant to him,” he continued.

“I spoke to a Jewish man in Williamsburg just a few months in the past who informed me that the door he left open for many years is now a door he locks. And finally, it is as a result of we’re coping with a disaster of anti-Semitism.”

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Mamdani was pressured by “Late Present” host Stephen Colbert on the eve of the Democratic primaries concerning the conflict between Israel and Hamas and anti-Semitism. (Screenshots/CBS)

Mamdani then touted his proposal to extend funding for the Division of Neighborhood Security’s anti-hate crime applications by “800%.”

“As a result of anti-Semitism, to your level, isn’t just one thing we have to speak about. It is one thing we have to handle,” Mamdani informed Colbert. “We should make it clear that there isn’t a room for it on this metropolis, on this nation, on this world and….”

“And no justification for any type of violence?” Colbert intervened.

“No,” Mamdani replied rapidly. “There isn’t a room for violence on this metropolis, on this nation, on this world.”

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Polls present Mamdani sustaining a considerable lead over his rivals even because the mayoral race narrowed following the departure of incumbent New York Mayor Eric Adams.

In response to a current Quinnipiac College ballot, the 33-year-old lawmaker has 46% assist amongst doubtless voters. His nearest rival, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has narrowed the hole however nonetheless trails with 33% assist, whereas Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, is in a distant third with 15%.