STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An actor is vying for newly minted Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s seat just days after he was sworn in.
Michael Rapaport, 55, known for his roles in “Deep Blue Sea” and “True Romance” announced on social media and his podcast that he will run for mayor in the 2029 election.
He spelt and pronounced Mamdani’s name incorrectly, calling him “Zoron the Moron.”
“But have no fear, Mayor Rapaport will be here. You like them apples?” Rapaport said. “Born and raised in New York City. Born and raised in New York… I came out of my mother’s womb, [in a] New York hospital, okay?”
This is likely in reference to Mamdani being born in Kampala, Uganda, before moving to New York City when he was 7-years-old.
“I will be running my campaign on the fact that nothing will be free. I will do my best to make New York City affordable, but you will be getting nothing for free. I’m not gonna lie to you, I’m not gonna b——t you, okay?” Rapaport continued.
A cornerstone of Mamdani’s mayoral campaign was to introduce free bus service to New Yorkers.
The price of bus fares increased on Jan. 4 from $2.90 a ride to $3, but that plan was set in motion before he was sworn into office.
The MTA announced the boost back in September of 2025, weeks before Mamdani even won the November mayoral election.
Rapaport went on to say, “…every single time I make a mistake, I will acknowledge it, I will apologize, and I won’t do with a s–t eating grin, okay? I’m gonna be the best mayor for New York City… I’m coming, no ditty.”
His video garnered nearly 16,000 likes at the time of writing.