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By Marni Rose McFall
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Dave Portnoy, the social media personality and founder of Barstool Sports, said in a recent interview that he wants to run against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, 34, was elected as New York’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in November. The democratic socialist has proved popular among constituents but has faced backlash from key figures, including President Donald Trump, who believe his politics are too radical.
During an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters on Monday, Portnoy said that while he "always thought I'd never get involved in politics," he now spends "a lot of my day losing my mind on what's happening right now, especially in New York."
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Asked by Watters if he would run against Mamdani, Portnoy said, he would "love to," adding: "If I was going to run, it would be here."
He was quick to note, though: "Can I win here? I have no idea."
Newsweek has contacted Mamdani's office for comment via email.
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Dave Portnoy Says He Wants To Run Against Mamdani
Portnoy, a Boston-born businessman who, beyond Barstool, is known for his pizza reviews and is currently promoting his new memoir, Cancel Me If You Can, told Watters: "There's a lot of people who like me in New York City. I know that. I've done a lot of good in New York City when I wasn't thinking about politics, whether it's the Barstool Fund, pizza places, so it wasn't for show."
"I've had a real job," Portnoy said. "I've done real things, unlike these clown politicians, who have never had a job and never been in the real world for a day."
The clip has quickly gone viral online, with Watters posting the moment from the interview to X, where it has been viewed more than 5 million times.
Portnoy has been consistently critical of Mamdani. On June 26, he wrote in a post on X viewed 2.5 million times: "Give Mandami credit. He is doing exactly what he said he would do when elected. He is turning New York into a socialist/communist anti-American city by getting 'politicians' like Darializa Avila Chevalier elected."
Chevalier, a democratic socialist, ended Representative Adriano Espaillat's reelection bid in last week’s Democratic primary in New York's 13th Congressional District.
In a June 19 post viewed 2.2 million times, Portnoy described Mamdani as a "professional actor."
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Mamdani Favorability Rising as Establishment Democrats Suffer Primary Setbacks
Some voices on the left have hailed Mamdani as ushering in a new era for Democrats, and left-wing politics in America more broadly. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, told The Nation ahead of Mamdani's victory in November: "People want real change, and a strong victory on the part of Mamdani, I think, will inspire people all across our country to fight for that change."
Conservatives, however, have urged caution in response to Mamdani's popularity. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in an X post on June 24: "There are MINI MAMDANIs popping up all around the country. It is a dangerous thing – this is NOT a joke. We are in a fight RIGHT NOW to save the Republic and EVERY AMERICAN needs to take this seriously."
It is not clear what political party Portnoy would be affiliated with, or whether he would seek office as an independent. He has previously voiced support for Trump.
Portnoy's Remarks Spark Conversation Online
Portnoy's remarks have quickly sparked a conversation online.
Celebrities and media personalities have increasingly been inclined to throw their hats into the political ring in recent years. Trump is the most high-profile example, having begun his political career after years as a businessman and reality television star.
There were also the short-lived political ambitions of rapper Kanye West, who announced his intention to run for president in 2020, though his campaign was unsuccessful. More recently, The Hills star Spencer Pratt made an unsuccessful bid for Los Angeles mayor.
Such political forays have prompted discussion about how perceptions of political eligibility have changed since Trump entered politics. Author, YouTuber and activist Hemant Mehta wrote in an X post viewed more than 700,000 times: "One of Trump's many awful legacies will be convincing D-List celebrities that they understand politics."
Nate Lichtman, a polling expert and CEO of Battleground Inc., wrote in an X post viewed 170,000 times: "Apparently managing New York City isn't a real job, but writing blog posts about pizza is. Good to know where we've set the bar."
Democratic political strategist Mike Nellis, meanwhile, offered a broader critique of Portnoy's remarks.
"I think what Portnoy built at Barstool is legitimately impressive, but acting like eating pizza and talking about sports on the internet is a real job is hysterical to me," he wrote in an X post viewed more than 200,000 times. "New Yorkers are not going to elect a rich a****** from Boston. Mamdani by a million if he runs, barring a calamity or something."
What Happens Next
The next mayoral election is slated for 2029, as they are held in New York City every four years, meaning it may be some time before Portnoy's remarks could become a political reality.
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