New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s comments about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attracted unexpected criticism from Milwaukee Bucks player Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma mocked Mamdani, a democratic socialist, referring to him as a ‘mayor playing president.’ Responding on social media platform X, Kuzma suggested Mamdani was more focused on appearances than governance, describing the mayor’s remarks as performative.
Kuzma, wearing jersey number 18 for the Milwaukee Bucks, has been outspoken in challenging progressive political ideas, a stance not commonly taken among NBA stars. In a tweet, Kuzma said that in 2026, many people ‘cosplay as things they don’t have the authority, talent, or track record to actually be, just for content.’
Mamdani recently released a video urging the arrest of Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant before the United Nations General Assembly. “A mayor playing president. A founder playing operator. A content creator playing one-on-one, thinking he’s a pro,” said Kuzma. “Everyone auditioning. Nobody building. We’re raising a generation that believes the reward isn’t in doing the thing, but in looking like you did it.”
While Mamdani’s video has faced backlash, it also found support among some NBA players. Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama were noted for liking Mamdani’s Instagram post, where he labeled Netanyahu ‘the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.’ Mamdani urged authorities to arrest Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York.
Mamdani has been criticized by Jewish organizations and political rivals for his statements about Israel, accusing them of genocide. Despite directing the city’s legal department to explore arrest possibilities, Mamdani admitted New York lacks legal authority to arrest foreign leaders. Critics argue Mamdani should prioritize addressing local issues like crime, sanitation, and housing affordability.
Kyle Kuzma’s ‘mayor playing president’ comment starkly contrasts with the support Mamdani received from other NBA figures like Irving and Wembanyama, highlighting the varying reactions within the league to the mayor’s stance.