Actor Michael Rapaport says he's running for mayor in next election to oust 'Zoron the moron'

Chris Cuomo and Michael Rapaport.

During an appearance on NewsNation Tuesday evening, actor Michael Rapaport announced that he's planning to run for mayor of New York City in the next election in a bid to oust Zohran Mamdani, who's just a little more than 100 days into his term as mayor. 

Rapaport made the announcement during an interview with Chris Cuomo, saying, "In terms of the mayor 2029, I am running for mayor of New York City," admitting that it's the type of career pivot he hadn't anticipated. “I never thought that I would even consider running for mayor of New York City, and I will do it with the best intentions."

Rapaport vowed to mount a political campaign unlike anything seen before, suggesting he would do things differently than the members of the Cuomo family who held political office, namely Chris's brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and his father, the late Mario Cuomo, who served three terms as governor of the Empire State. He said his campaign would even contrast with that of Donald Trump's unique brand of retail politics. 

Rapaport said his chief objective is ousting current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose mayorship has been off to a rocky start since taking office in January. Mamdani has bailed on campaign promises, exacerbated the city's fiscal problems and intentionally alienated wealthy taxpayers with political stunts and, at times, open racism. 

The actor is also disappointed with the violence and harassment Mamdani has seemingly allowed masked Hamas-supporters to unleash on Jewish residents in the city. "Each time these riots and these protests [happen] outside synagogues," Rapaport said, "the violence, the heat gets turned up." Eventually, Rapaport worries, "someone is going to die." He also called out Gov. Kathy Hochul for not banning masks during protests. 

"Zoron the moron does not think that the state of Israel has the right to exist," Rapaport said, adding, "and we know what his wife thinks," a reference to the first lady of New York City having posted celebratory tweets about the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against Israel. "The cavalry is not coming and Jewish people need to come to terms with it."

He puts the blame for the rising tensions squarely on Mamdani, though. "I think he's the greatest bullcrapper in the history of politicians," Rapaport declared. "We need to plan right now because 2029 is around the corner. “The only way to beat this guy is to make it and take it with New York City street fight mentality.” Rapaport went on to say he would drop out only if someone he considered "more qualified" emerged to challenge "Zoron the moron."

Rapaport is known for roles in movies like True Romance, Higher Learning, and Cop Land, as well as a recurring role on the iconic TV sitcom Friends, and, more recently, Boston Public and Prison Break, among others. Watch the full interview with Rapaport below.