Mayor Zohran Mamdani has come under fire from NBA player Kyle Kuzma over his recent political commentary.
The basketball star accused the New York mayor of “cosplaying” as president after Mamdani shared a video calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal.
4Taking to X, Kuzma launched a lengthy rant directed at Mamdani while also criticizing people who, he claimed, spend more time performing for social media than living authentic lives.
“This is 2026. People cosplaying as things they don’t have the authority, the talent, or the track record to actually be. Just for content,” the basketball player wrote while quoting a post of Mamdani calling the Israeli prime minister a war criminal.
“A mayor playing president. A founder playing operator. A content creator playing one-on-one thinking he’s a pro. A 25yr old with a ring light playing economist. Everyone auditioning. Nobody building,” he added.
According to Kuzma, actions like Mamdani’s are emblematic of today’s culture. He argued that younger generations are being conditioned to believe that “the reward isn’t in doing the thing, it’s in looking like you did the thing.”
Kuzma Doubles Down On Critics
4In the comments section of his post, Kuzma also pushed back against netizens who accused him of supporting a “genocidal Zionist.”
“I’m supporting a Zionist genocide because I’m pointing out an opinion of someone cosplaying, and you all just fall for it, lol. Got you. Yeah, I’m a terrible human. Makes total sense,” Kuzma replied.
He also sarcastically responded to another user who claimed he was friends with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The user had quoted a video of Kuzma dancing at a Jewish wedding in New York in May.
“Yeah, I’m totally friends with the IDF, and my opinion is super meaningless. You are correct,” the basketball player continued.
Mamdani Calls Netanyahu A War Criminal
In a two-minute video shared on social media, Mamdani described Netanyahu as the “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
“He is responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, for the maiming of tens of thousands of children, for the targeting of neonatal hospitals and maternity care centers, and for the gunning down of hundreds of aid workers and journalists,” the mayor said.
The New York politician went on to claim that Netanyahu had continued violating the “so-called ceasefire” while Americans were paying for the bombs used in the conflict.
Referring to the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, Mamdani said Netanyahu should be arrested and tried over the alleged crimes. He also called on the federal government to arrest the Israeli leader should he enter the United States.
Trump Rejects Netanyahu Arrest
4An arrest of Netanyahu on U.S. soil appears highly unlikely in light of Trump’s recent remarks on the issue.
Writing on his Truth Social platform last week, the U.S. president insisted that the Israeli prime minister “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form” while in the country.
“He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others,” Trump added.
“The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago by previous Presidents,” he continued.
Netanyahu’s Legal Troubles Continue
4Aside from the allegations he faces before the International Criminal Court, Netanyahu is also embroiled in a series of corruption cases in Israel, with his trial having begun in 2020.
Prosecutors allege that he received gifts worth about $200,000 from wealthy individuals, including luxury cigars and champagne. He is also accused of holding discussions with Arnon Mozes, publisher of the prominent Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, in an alleged attempt to secure favorable media coverage at the expense of a rival publication.
The Israeli prime minister has denied all wrongdoing and has reportedly sought a presidential pardon. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has yet to indicate whether he is inclined to grant one, with officials instead believing he is focused on exploring the possibility of a plea agreement.