Bill Maher, the comedian and host of ‘Real Time,’ criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his recent comments on the third anniversary of the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Maher expressed disbelief at Mamdani’s stance during his show, questioning the mayor’s approach to the sensitive issue.
Mamdani released a statement calling the anniversary of the attack a ‘profoundly painful’ day for many New Yorkers, mentioning that the city continues to grieve with those affected by the tragedy. He emphasized the ongoing loss experienced by many due to actions from both sides.
However, Mamdani’s statement also attracted criticism as he condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions, alleging that the Israeli government is carrying out acts of ‘genocide’ in Gaza. He mentioned over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 21,000 children, and he denounced the continuous occupation and violence.
Maher mocked Mamdani’s previous career as a rapper, joking about his stage names, ‘Young Cardamom’ and ‘Mr. Cardamom,’ suggesting ‘Tone Deaf’ would be more fitting given his recent comments.
The mayor faced further scrutiny for dining at a Palestinian restaurant, Ayat Hinds Hall, which has been criticized for having controversial menu language. This restaurant previously faced backlash for including the phrase ‘Down with the occupation’ in multiple languages on its menu.
Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff noted that Maher’s critique could inadvertently benefit Mamdani by boosting his credibility with his political base. Shroff suggested Mamdani’s statement might have been an attempt to align with his supporters who felt he had softened on key issues.
Despite the backlash, Maher’s criticism may reinforce Mamdani’s image as a steadfast champion of causes important to his voter base.
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