Picture this: a rising political star, poised to become New York City's first Muslim mayor, gets blindsided by a late-night TV show's producers who want to turn his deeply held views on a devastating conflict into a thumbs-up-or-thumbs-down game. It's a scenario straight out of a political thriller, and it's exactly what happened to Zohran Mamdani, as revealed in a gripping profile from The New Yorker. But here's where it gets controversial – this wasn't just any game; it was pitched as a way to probe his stance on Israel's war in Gaza, potentially reducing a genocide to entertainment. Intrigued? Let's dive into the details and unpack what this means for media, politics, and public discourse.
The New Yorker piece, published in their October 20, 2025 issue, delves into Mamdani's journey as a New York City mayoral candidate. It claims that during preparations for his appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in late June, just before the Democratic primary that secured his nomination, producers floated an unusual idea. Mamdani was set to join city comptroller Brad Lander for a chat, and he'd already been briefed on the usual political topics Colbert might cover. But according to the article, things took a wild turn when a letter arrived that day from influential pro-Israel figures, urging the show to grill Mamdani on his opinions about Israel.
And this is the part most people miss – the producers didn't just add questions; they suggested a 'thumbs-up or thumbs-down' segment. Imagine it: 'Thumbs-up or thumbs-down: Hamas. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down: a Palestinian state.' The story cites insiders who were present, painting a picture of a room buzzing with tension. Mamdani himself expressed disbelief to The New Yorker, saying, 'I just couldn’t believe what was happening. That a genocide could be distilled into a late-night game.' For beginners navigating the complexities of media and politics, this highlights how sensitive topics like the Israel-Gaza conflict can be sensationalized, turning serious debates into lighthearted TV fodder. His senior adviser, Zara Rahim, reportedly pushed back, reminding the producer, 'You have the first Muslim candidate for mayor in the history of New York. You don’t want to ask him a question about that?' It's a moment that underscores the importance of respectful representation, especially for trailblazers in diverse fields.
CBS, the network behind the show, chose not to comment when Variety reached out. In the end, the game never aired – a rarity on 'The Late Show,' where such interactive segments aren't the norm, though they're common in other late-night formats. Instead, about six minutes of the 21-minute interview (which was edited down for TV but is available in full on YouTube) zoomed in on Mamdani's perspectives on Israel, the backlash from pro-Israel New Yorkers, and the strained relations between Jewish and Muslim communities in the city. To clarify for those new to this, late-night shows often use games to engage viewers, but applying it to topics like genocide can feel insensitive, sparking debates about where entertainment crosses into exploitation.
Colbert kicked off the segment by asking both guests if they believed Israel has a right to exist. Mamdani responded thoughtfully: 'Yes, like all nations, I believe it has a right to exist and a responsibility, also, to uphold international law.' The New Yorker notes that this question came up repeatedly during his campaign, leaving him feeling overwhelmed. A prominent Muslim leader in the city, who spoke with Mamdani, called it out as 'Islamophobia, the way it’s posed and repeated.' This raises a controversial point: is questioning a nation's right to exist a fair litmus test for politicians, or does it unfairly target those with Middle Eastern backgrounds? It's a debate that divides opinions, with some seeing it as a legitimate inquiry into global affairs, while others view it as a form of bias.
Mamdani went on to address rising antisemitism, sharing stories from conversations with Jewish New Yorkers. 'We’re seeing a crisis of antisemitism,' he said, outlining his plan to boost funding for anti-hate crime programs by 800% through the Department of Community Safety. 'And that’s why at the heart of my proposal... is a commitment to increase funding... To your point, antisemitism is not simply something we should talk about. It’s something that we have to tackle. We have to make clear there’s no room for it in this city, in this country, in this world.' Colbert followed up, asking, 'And no justification for violence of any kind?' Mamdani firmly said no. For context, this exchange illustrates how candidates balance acknowledging multiple forms of hate while advocating for peace – a nuanced approach that beginners might appreciate as a model for inclusive leadership.
You can watch Mamdani and Lander's full appearance on 'The Late Show' below to see it all unfold.
What do you think about this behind-the-scenes drama? Should late-night shows steer clear of turning political hot potatoes like the Gaza conflict into games, or is it a harmless way to spark discussion? And on the bigger question of Israel's right to exist – is it a valid test for leaders, or does it risk alienating certain voices? Do you agree with the Muslim leader's take on it as Islamophobia, or see it differently? Share your thoughts in the comments – I'd love to hear your perspective and start a conversation!
