Michael Rapaport Announces 2029 NYC Mayoral Bid

Actor and podcaster Michael Rapaport announced his intention to run for mayor of New York City in 2029, positioning himself as a challenger to the newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The 55-year-old New York native, best known for roles in films like True Romance and the television series Friends, made the declaration on the latest episode of his I Am Rapaport podcast and in an Instagram post coinciding with Mamdani's swearing-in on New Year's Day.

Rapaport, who has lived in the city his entire life, used the podcast to outline his motivations amid what he described as a turbulent start to 2025. "Let me tell you something, guys, girls, women, children of all ages. 2025 was crazy, and I don't see it getting any fucking calmer or cooler in 2026, the way things started. That's why I'm running for mayor," he said toward the end of the hour-long episode. In his Instagram post, he emphasized a no-nonsense approach to governance. "Born. Raised. NYC. Nothing's free. No bullshit. No fake grins. I'll own my mistakes, apologize when I screw up, and fight to make this city safe, affordable, and thriving," Rapaport wrote, adding a reference to Mamdani by name.