Comedian and podcast host Michael Rapaport took aim this week at New York City mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani, accusing the self-described working-class advocate of dining at Manhattan’s upscale sushi spot OMEN Sushi — despite residing in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens.
Rapaport posted a social-media image of Mamdani at the restaurant and questioned how someone campaigning as “working class” could comfortably afford such a venue. He highlighted menu items priced well into the premium range and cast Mamdani’s actions as inconsistent with his rhetoric.
Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member and Democratic-Socialist primary winner, has campaigned on issues such as rent freezes, free public transit and city-run grocery stores. Despite these pro-affordability stances, Rapaport used the sushi dinner to challenge his authenticity, asking who covered the tab and ultimately branding him as “fraud class.”
The campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.