A feature on Zohran Mamdani published in the New Yorker suggests that the New York City mayoral hopeful was prompted by a producer from “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” to engage in a “game” regarding his perspective on the war in Gaza.
Mamdani made an appearance on “The Late Show” with city comptroller Brad Lander in late June, shortly before securing the Democratic party’s nomination in the primary election. Before the show, he was informed about the “basic political topics” Colbert intended to discuss. However, according to the New Yorker, just before their on-stage appearance, the producers proposed different questions following a letter received that day from notable pro-Israel figures urging that Mamdani be interrogated about his stance on Israel.
According to sources present, “One of the producers suggested a ‘thumbs-up or thumbs-down’ segment: ‘Thumbs-up or thumbs-down: Hamas. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down: a Palestinian state.’”
Mamdani expressed his astonishment to the New Yorker, stating, “I just couldn’t believe what was happening. That a genocide could be distilled into a late-night game.” His senior adviser, Zara Rahim, challenged the producer by saying, “You have the first Muslim candidate for mayor in New York’s history. Isn’t it worth asking him a question about that?”
CBS did not provide a comment to Variety when requested.
Ultimately, the game was not featured during the broadcast. (While games are often used during late-night interviews, they are infrequent on “The Late Show.”) The segment was edited down to roughly six minutes of the 21-minute interview, which, though reduced in length on CBS, is available in full on YouTube, and it primarily addressed Mamdani’s views regarding Israel, the backlash he has endured from pro-Israel New Yorkers, and the underlying tensions between Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers.
Colbert opened the discussion by asking Lander and Mamdani if they believed that the state of Israel has a right to exist. “Yes, like all nations, I believe it has a right to exist and a responsibility, also, to uphold international law,” replied Mamdani.
Concerning the question of Israel’s legitimacy, the New Yorker noted, “Mamdani faced this query so frequently during the campaign that it left him feeling overwhelmed. ‘The way it is framed and repeated is Islamophobia,’ remarked a prominent Muslim leader in the city who has spoken with Mamdani about this issue.”
Mamdani later stated, “We’re witnessing a crisis of antisemitism,” highlighting discussions he’s had with Jewish New Yorkers. “That’s why my proposal for the Department of Community Safety includes an 800% increase in funding for anti-hate crime initiatives. Antisemitism is not merely a topic for conversation; it is an issue we must address. We must make it clear that there is no place for it in this city, this country, or this world.”
In response, Colbert asked, “And no justification for violence of any kind?” to which Mamdani replied negatively.
View the complete appearance of Mamdani and Lander on “The Late Show” below.
