Comedian Michael Rapaport has revealed that his perspective on former President Donald Trump has evolved, attributing the change to the events following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Rapaport explained that the magnitude of the hostage crisis led him to alter his approach to criticizing Trump.
During an appearance on Jamie Kennedy's podcast, "Hate To Break It To Ya," Rapaport stated that he realized the urgency of securing the release of hostages. He felt that Trump, more than President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, offered the best chance for their safe return. "I knew that the only way that those hostages who were being held for weeks and then months and then a year, I knew that the only chance would be [Trump]," Rapaport said.
This realization prompted Rapaport to cease his previous habit of derogatory name-calling toward Trump. "Why I don't insult him now, and I could insult him and I could be derogatory towards him, is because for me, simply getting the hostages home was enough for me to not... be disrespectful," he explained. He emphasized that his advocacy for Israel, including multiple trips to the country and conversations with hostage families, informed his decision.
Rapaport acknowledged that some individuals are displeased with his less critical stance on Trump, but he suggested they "carry the torch" if they wish to continue disparaging the former president. He reiterated that his primary focus became the hostages' return and the protection of Israel's right to exist.
He also reflected on his past criticisms, admitting that he was less informed about global politics when he initially began publicly insulting Trump. "I think it's great to admit when you were wrong, uninformed, misinformed and spoke out of turn," Rapaport commented.
In separate remarks, Rapaport has expressed intentions to run for Mayor of New York City in 2029, aiming to challenge incumbent Zohran Mamdani. Rapaport described his potential campaign strategy as a "New York City street fight mentality," suggesting a more aggressive approach would be necessary to defeat his opponent.