Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma has criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling the mayor a "mayor playing president" after Mamdani released a video urging the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kuzma's remarks on X, formerly Twitter, suggested Mamdani was more focused on appearances than governance.
"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," Kuzma wrote in response to Mamdani's video. Mamdani's statement called for Netanyahu's arrest ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, referencing an International Criminal Court warrant.
Mamdani's video stated, "The clip is the career. The pose is the product. The soundbite is the substitute for a life's work. Don't fall for distractions." The mayor's office later acknowledged that New York City lacks the legal authority to arrest visiting foreign leaders, despite Mamdani having previously directed the city's legal department to examine the possibility.
Kuzma's comments highlight a divide within the NBA regarding Mamdani's rhetoric. While Kuzma directly challenged the mayor, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama were reported to have 'liked' Mamdani's Instagram post, which referred to Netanyahu as "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people."
Mamdani has faced criticism from Jewish organizations and political opponents for his statements on Israel, which they accuse of genocide. Israel rejects the ICC's jurisdiction, and Netanyahu has denied the court's allegations. Critics argue that Mamdani should prioritize domestic issues within New York City, such as crime, sanitation, and housing affordability, rather than engaging in international conflicts.
Kuzma has established a reputation as one of the few active NBA players willing to publicly engage with progressive political ideas, a stance many other prominent players have largely avoided.