Overview
- Michael Rapaport posted photos of Zohran Mamdani dining at Omen Azen and argued the outing contradicted the candidate’s working‑class image while invoking his rent‑stabilized apartment and family ties to Qatari‑backed cultural projects.
- Photos on X showed Mamdani dining with his wife, and coverage noted menu items including a nine‑course seasonal tasting priced at $145 as context for the criticism.
- Menswear writer Derek Guy countered by sharing video and menu screenshots indicating Rapaport had eaten at a pricier Nobu location, undercutting the attack’s premise.
- Rapaport’s posts drew millions of views and broad media pickup, and online responses highlighted the price comparison as well as accusations of hypocrisy.
- Mamdani, a democratic socialist who won the June Democratic primary on an affordability platform, did not issue a formal response in the reports, while Rapaport stated support for independent rival Andrew Cuomo.