NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa appeared together in a comedic skit at the Inner Circle event, prompting criticism from Republican figures who said the appearance raised fresh political questions about Sliwa’s role in the race.
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NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani and former rival Curtis Sliwa appear in joint comedy skit at the Inner Circle Dinner: pic.twitter.com/Ej4AHImqcp
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) March 30, 2026
The skit, part of the annual New York City press corps roast, featured a satirical segment on cat adoption, with Sliwa portraying a doctor delivering allergy shots to Mamdani.
Some Republican-aligned figures expressed frustration afterward, arguing the performance reinforced long-standing suspicions about Sliwa’s campaign and its impact on the mayoral contest.
Businessman John Catsimatidis, a former mayoral candidate, said he was “very disappointed” with Sliwa’s participation, according to reporting in The New York Times, which detailed reactions from political allies and opponents following the event.
Sliwa defended the appearance, calling it satire and saying it reflected his support for animal adoption. He rejected claims of political coordination and said critics were misreading the performance.
A spokesperson for Mamdani said the segment was intended as comedy and pointed to his well-known interest in cats.
The Inner Circle event is an annual tradition in which New York political figures and the press stage satirical performances of city politics.
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