By Jadyn Buccilli
Staff Writer
Jimmy Kimmel invited New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani onto “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where Mamdani talked about his current and future plans with the city, as well as his relationship with President Donald Trump. The episode, which aired on Sept. 28, took place directly in NYC at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a perfect spot for the city’s own mayor to make a special appearance.
This appearance was made just a year after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was suspended due to Kimmel making a politically controversial comment aimed towards the right wing shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, in which he stated, “…the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them…” The suspension lasted from Sept. 17 until Sept. 22.
It is clear that Kimmel did not let this past incident stop him from speaking his mind during his interview with Mamdani.
“Please welcome the end of New York City as we know it, mayor Zohran Mamdani,” Kimmel said with sarcasm as he called Mamdani to the stage. This is seen as a direct mockery of several news anchors enticing fear that NYC will be destroyed if Mamdani is elected as mayor, which was shown at the beginning of this segment. The audience was standing and cheering loudly as Mamdani took his seat, unironically proving through Kimmel’s comment that NYC is not in the type of danger that the news anchors were implying.
After a standing ovation that lasted almost a minute, Mamdani and Kimmel began their interview. Kimmel immediately resumes his mockery of the people frightened by Mamdani, by asking him how the total destruction of New York is going.
“You know, it’s proceeding as planned.” Mamdani said jokingly, before being interrupted by more laughing and cheering from the crowd.
After this lighthearted joke, Kimmel asked Mamdani about the initiatives he has taken so far as mayor, admiringly commenting how he is carrying out the exact plans he outlined during his mayoral campaign. Mamdani then begins to explain his “Parents Night Out” initiative, in which parents are given a night to have time with each other as a couple without needing to worry about finding the money for a babysitter.
“I think the key thing to us, whether it’s potholes or groceries or child care, it’s ’what are working class New Yorkers struggling with?” Mamdani said while discussing his plans for a city run grocery store. “And when you hear from working-class New Yorkers, you hear that groceries have gone up 30% since the pandemic. And this is a non-negotiable.”
Kimmel then mentioned how much fun Mamdani seems to be having as a mayor, bringing up how he jumped into a pool with his suit on, and when he called a child to let them know NYC was having a snow day with no school.
Mamdani explains that because the world is going through a tough time, his goal is to try to make the people of his city smile every day, which made the audience cheer in agreement.
The conversation then shifted towards Mamdani’s relationship with Trump, which has been civil despite the two politician’s opposing views on the majority of topics. Kimmel comments on how despite Mamdani being very open on his own views, Trump does not lose his temper like he does with many other people that oppose him or his values.
Mamdani states that himself and Trump share the same love for New York City, so they usually discuss ways to make the city better for its citizens, which is how they remain so cordial.
Mamdani also revealed in this segment that he and Trump have exchanged texts about Sunnyside Yard, a project that will add 12,000 homes to the city. Kimmel immediately asked questions about Trump’s texting styles, such as if he texts in all caps, which is something he frequently does on his X and TruthSocial accounts, which Mamdani claimed he texts normally.
Kimmel ends the interaction by asking if Mamdani could come to Los Angeles and be its mayor once he is done being mayor in New York. Mamdani answers proudly by saying, “You know, it’s three words for me always. It’s New York City.” The crowd erupted in applause, ending this special mayoral appearance on a high note.
