Pete Davidson Questions Mayor Mamdani's Staten Island Ties

Pete Davidson recently expressed skepticism about Mayor Zohran Mamdani's affiliation with Staten Island, a borough the comedian affectionately calls his own. In an interview with Variety, Davidson pondered Mamdani's connection to the area, stating, "Zohran Mamdani… is he Staten Island? I don’t know. I don’t think he’s from Staten Island."

Davidson further elaborated on his perception of Staten Island, describing it as "the only red place in New York, and it’s violently red." He suggested that a true Staten Island politician would embody certain characteristics, humorously noting, "You are not a real Staten Island politician unless you have a secret family and know one mobster."

This critique follows Davidson's recent appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," where he urged Mayor Mamdani to address the persistent issues with the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The BQE, a significant city highway, has been a long-standing subject of criticism due to traffic congestion and aging infrastructure.

When Kimmel mentioned Mamdani would be a guest, Davidson posed a direct question: "Yes, could he fix the 'f—ing BQE, please?" The audience responded with applause, and Kimmel later relayed the question to the mayor.

Mamdani, in response, outlined his administration's "BQE Central Project." This initiative aims to repair the city-owned sections of the expressway between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street, with construction slated to commence in 2030. He stated that the project involves a multibillion-dollar plan to address the most at-risk sections over the next decade, emphasizing safety and avoiding traffic diversions into local neighborhoods.