Zohran Mamdani‘s comedy dreams do not seem to be coming true anytime soon.
The Mayor has reportedly made several attempts since his campaign days to appear on the popular “Saturday Night Live” show to no avail. Now he seems to be taking a different approach with the same goal in mind.
Zohran Mamdani has been the Mayor of New York City for less than half a year and already has controversy trailing behind his name. He is the first mayor to ever snub the Israel Day Parade, marking the first time since the parade’s inception in 1964 that a sitting New York City mayor did not participate.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani Still Shooting His Shot At ‘SNL’
Mamdani seems not to have “giving up” in his vocabulary, as he and his team are still trying to make an appearance on “SNL” a reality. According to reports, his circle is lobbying for an appearance on the popular comedy TV show using a different approach.
Rather than a direct ask, his close pals and confidants are putting in a good word on his behalf to the program creator, Lorne Michaels. “It’s a whisper campaign,” a source told Page Six, “Mamdani isn’t asking directly, it’s more clandestine. People who know the Mayor are mentioning it to Lorne and others at NBC.”
A different source close to the NYC Mayor affirmed that “there has been no formal ask made,” and a rep for “SNL” doubles down on the claim, saying “Nothing has come our way.” An insider previously revealed that Michaels was open to meeting the Mayor, but just off-air.
Mamdani’s request does not seem strange, as several politicians have been on the sketch comedy show in the past, including NYC mayor Ed Koch and former mayor Rudy Giuliani. Also, President Donald Trump hosted twice, and Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton made cameos.
The Mayor’s Previous Requests Were Turned Down Due To ‘Creative Reasons’
In March, it was reported that Mamdani’s team had made a bid to get him on the show during his 2025 campaign, but Michaels turned him down. Insiders have also shared that his “lifelong dream is to be on ‘SNL.'”
His previous pitch was tossed “ultimately for creative reasons,” and the show decided to go with comedians instead. The role went to Ramy Youssef, who portrayed the democratic socialist during an election sketch on Nov. 1, 2025, alongside Miles Teller as Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Shane Gillis as Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani seemed to enjoy the impersonation as he posted clips of himself on social media, laughing with Yussef, who was still dressed in his costume, on FaceTime. Hizzoner may still have a shot at appearing on the show, which is currently on summer break till late September or October.
The 112th Mayor Of New York City Broke An Age-Long Record
Mamdani was noticeably absent at the unifying Israel Day Parade on Sunday, May 31, in the city he governs. The politician, who has spent just five months in office, spent part of his day rallying for his reelection in 2029.
He expressed that he loves being Mayor of the city so much that he wants to contest again in three years to serve a total of eight years at the helm of City Hall. This is a job of a lifetime. I can’t imagine anything else I’d rather like,” Mamdani said on 1600 AM’s The Black Information Network.
The New York Post reports that Mamdani has already ignited controversy in his few months in office. Per his absence on Sunday, he became the first sitting Mayor to ever skip the Israel Parade day over his criticisms of the Jewish State.
He also stirred the pot with Citadel financier Ken Griffin, when he appeared in a social-media video in front of Griffin’s residence to echo Albany’s approval of a pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes.
Mamdani disgruntled many like Griffin as he defended the tax on wealthy “non-residents.” He also stated that the claims about rich New Yorkers and corporations fleeing the city over paying higher taxes had not materialized in the past.
The Mayor Traded Insults With Donald Trump During His Campaign
Trump was vocal about not being in Mamdani’s corner during the campaign and election. In the weeks leading up to the Election Day last year, the President bashed Mamdani online, calling him “a communist lunatic” and threatening to cut off federal funding for NYC if voters elected the 34-year-old.
Mamdani did not let Trump’s words slide, once calling him a “despot” and “fascist.” On the eve of the election, Trump endorsed Mamdani’s strongest opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary and later in the general election.
After the results were announced, the Mayor spoke forcefully against the Trump administration in his victory speech, promising that “New York will be the light” in political darkness and telling Trump to “turn the volume up.” According to NBC News, after months of trading insults, the pair met up for their first face-to-face meeting at the White House, where they maintained a friendly interaction.
Mamdani, however, stated that he still stands by his belief that Trump is a fascist and a despot, declaring “Everything that I’ve said in the past, I continue to believe,” but is willing to work together for the sake of New Yorkers.
Zohran Mamdani’s Message To King Charles
King Charles and Queen Camilla recently visited the US, during which they made stops in New York and Washington. They also had a 9/11 memorial visit scheduled to honor victims of the attacks at the World Trade Center.
Ahead of the monarch’s visit, Mamdani raised dust while speaking to reporters during the wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero. They asked what he would say if he had a moment with the King. The Blast reported that Mamdani’s response was shocking as he said, “You know, if I were to speak to the King separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.”
The Koh-i-Noor has a long and contentious history, but is believed to have originated from India’s Kollur Mine as far back as the 13th century. The 105.6-carat gem got into the hands of Britain in the mid-1800s, reportedly after annexing Punjab and forcing its ten-year-old ruler to sign the Treaty of Lahore.
The Treaty handed the sovereignty of the state and the gem to Britain, and now the jewel is set in a crown made for the Queen Mother in 1937, displayed at the Tower of London. As Mamdani is of Indian descent, the issue seemingly hits closer to home.
Will Zohran Mamdani get his lifelong dream soon?