Zohran Mamdani reveals Colbert show pitched 'game' about war in Gaza
Share and Follow

According to Socialist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Stephen Colbert’s late-night CBS show requested him to ‘play a game’ to elaborate on his views regarding Gaza.

Currently, Mamdani is the frontrunner for the November election, gaining notoriety for both his anti-Israel stance and his far-left economic proposals for New York City.

Set to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert before the primary, Mamdani was asked to creatively discuss his views.

Jewish leaders had previously urged Colbert to challenge Mamdani on his reluctance ‘to denounce calls to “globalize the intifada” – provocative rhetoric he has publicly engaged with for at least ten years.’ 

The New Yorker reported that before Mamdani and rival-turned-ally Brad Lander went on stage, the producers wanted to ask if they could play a ‘thumbs up or thumbs down’ on the conflict. 

Examples included giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down to Hamas or simply a Palestinian state. 

‘I just couldn’t believe what was happening, that a genocide could be distilled into a late-night game,’ Mamdani said.

His handlers couldn’t believe it either, wondering why the famously liberal Colbert wouldn’t ask him about things like being the first-ever Muslim mayoral candidate in the city’s history. 

Socialist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (pictured center) claimed Stephen Colbert's (pictured right) canceled CBS show asked him to 'play a game' that explained his opinions on Gaza

Socialist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (pictured center) claimed Stephen Colbert’s (pictured right) canceled CBS show asked him to ‘play a game’ that explained his opinions on Gaza

The New Yorker reported that before Mamdani and rival-turned-ally Brad Lander went on stage, the producers wanted to ask if they could play a 'thumbs up or thumbs down' on the conflict

The New Yorker reported that before Mamdani and rival-turned-ally Brad Lander went on stage, the producers wanted to ask if they could play a ‘thumbs up or thumbs down’ on the conflict

The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS for comment.  

During the interview, Colbert, 61, asked Mamdani and Lander about Israel and whether they believe it ‘has the right to exist.’

‘Yes, like all nations. I believe it has a right to exist, and a responsibility also to uphold international law,’ Mamdani said.

Colbert faced backlash for failing to ask Mamdani tougher questions about his stance on Israel.

Instead, Colbert simply stated that some voters are ‘very upset by some of the things that you’ve said in the past,’ adding that ‘they are afraid that your mayorship would actually lead to increased antisemitism.’

The question teed up Mamdani, 33, to denounce antisemitism while not addressing his past statements, which have included calls to ‘globalize the intifada’ that some say is a call to violence against Jews. 

Critics of the interview ripped Colbert for not more forcefully broaching the subject of Mamdani’s past remarks.

The news comes as the first phase of a new peace deal between Israel and Hamas brokered by Donald Trump appears to be underway.

Critics of the interview ripped Colbert for not more forcefully broaching the subject of Mamdani's past remarks

Critics of the interview ripped Colbert for not more forcefully broaching the subject of Mamdani’s past remarks

Trump claimed the Israel and Hamas peace deal would bring an everlasting peace to the Middle East, where residents have been dancing in the streets celebrating the anticipated end to the two-year-long war. 

‘On Monday the hostages come back,’ the president said triumphantly on Friday evening, characterizing the deal as an ‘everlasting success.’ 

He also asserted that not only that Gaza would be rebuilt, but ‘the entire Middle East’ as part of the process — and claimed the rehabilitation of the war zone would be paid for by investments from neighboring Middle Eastern states.

‘I can tell you that I saw Israel dancing in the streets, but they were dancing in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and UAE, and many, many countries,’ the Republican stated, adding that officials in Iran, Russia, Egypt, Qatar were also eager to support the deal.

The Israeli military announced on Friday that the ceasefire is now in effect across Gaza city. 

Israel’s government approved the deal last night as thousands of Gaza citizens now roam the war-torn city. Israeli forces pulled back in accordance with the deal approved by the government.

The next phase of the ceasefire includes a 72-hour period where Hamas will release the remaining living hostages along with the bodies of the deceased. In exchange, Israel will free up to 2,000 Gaza prisoners as part of the deal. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted in his televised remarks last night that it is not likely all the bodies of the deceased hostages will be recovered. 

Trump claimed Friday that the Israel and Hamas peace deal would bring an everlasting peace to the Middle East, where residents have been dancing in the streets celebrating the anticipated end to the two-year-long war

Trump claimed Friday that the Israel and Hamas peace deal would bring an everlasting peace to the Middle East, where residents have been dancing in the streets celebrating the anticipated end to the two-year-long war

Meanwhile, Trump also shared that he will be speaking to the Knesset, or the Israeli parliament, on his trip, which will also include a stop in Egypt. 

The president announced the breakthrough on his Truth Social platform yesterday by quoting from the Gospel of Matthew: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ 

Even before a deal had been signed, he was looking forward, saying that ‘Iran wants peace’, and ending the war in Ukraine was ‘going to happen’ next.

Trump told his cabinet: ‘The whole world has come together for this. People who didn’t like each other, neighboring countries. This is a moment in time.

‘We reached a momentous breakthrough in the Middle East, something people said was never going to be done. We ended the war in Gaza. An everlasting peace.’

He added: ‘It’s really peace in the Middle East. You remember October 7 was terrible, but from the Hamas standpoint, they’ve probably lost 70,000 people. That’s big retribution. At some point, that whole thing has to stop.’

Trump – expected to be feted as a hero when he visits the region on Sunday – used the force of his personality to broker the deal.

The President’s 20-point peace plan – hammered out in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh along with negotiators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey – was achieved despite America refusing to follow the lead of Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron in controversially recognizing a Palestine state.

Securing the return of the hostages comes at a price, though, with Israel agreeing to release 2,000 Hamas prisoners.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Who is Jonathan Rinderknecht, Palisades Fire suspect accused of sparking deadly blaze?

Palisades Fire suspect made anti-Trump social media posts, blamed climate change for causing wildfires

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The man accused of…
Deadly explosion rocks Tennessee manufacturing plant

Tragic Explosion Strikes Tennessee Manufacturing Facility

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
US sends CENTCOM troops to Israel for Trump-brokered Hamas ceasefire monitoring

US sends CENTCOM troops to Israel for Trump-brokered Hamas ceasefire monitoring

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! U.S. service members will…
Mother's final screams caught on tape as abductor prepared to kill her

Abductor Records Mother’s Last Cries Before Planning to End Her Life

A Florida mother’s blood-curdling final screams as her abductor readied to kill…
TGI Fridays offering free food for some federal workers amid shutdown

TGI Fridays Provides Complimentary Meals to Select Federal Employees During Shutdown

() Popular dining chain TGI Fridays has announced it will offer free…
Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado dedicates award to Trump for 'decisive support'

Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado dedicates award to Trump for ‘decisive support’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Venezuelan opposition leader and…
What role will US troops have in Gaza ceasefire?

How will US military forces be involved in the Gaza ceasefire?

() The White House is seeking to clarify the role U.S. troops…
Ex-Duval teacher's union president pleads guilty to charges in $1.2M fraud case

Former President of Duval Teachers’ Union Admits Guilt in $1.2 Million Fraud Case

Teresa Brady has pleaded guilty to charges that she defrauded Duval Teachers…