Michael Rapaport Slams Zohran Mamdani for Dining at One of NYC’s Priciest Sushi Spots While Living in a Rent-Stabilized Apartment — “You Ain’t Working Class, You’re Fraud Class”
Actor and podcaster Michael Rapaport ignited a political firestorm this week after calling out Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for what he described as blatant hypocrisy — dining at one of New York City’s most expensive restaurants while living in a rent-stabilized apartment. The social-media confrontation began when Rapaport shared photos of Mamdani dining at Omen Azen, a high-end Japanese restaurant in Manhattan that lists a kampai caviar appetizer for $27 and a 12-piece sashimi combo for $50. The restaurant is known as a favorite of Wall Street executives and Upper East Side regulars, making it a symbolic contrast to Mamdani’s campaign as a “man of the people.”
Rapaport, never one to hold back, posted a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter) with a message that quickly went viral. “How’s a so-called ‘working class’ mayoral candidate like Zohran Mamdani eating at Omen Sushi tonight — one of the priciest joints in NYC?” he wrote. “This clown lives in a rent-stabilized apartment in Queens but dines like a diplomat on a Qatar-funded per diem. Who’s paying for that toro, Zoron the Moron? You ain’t working class — you’re fraud class.”
The post set off a flurry of reactions across political and celebrity circles. Within hours, Rapaport’s tweet racked up millions of views, and the phrase “fraud class” started trending nationwide. Many conservatives cheered Rapaport for calling out what they saw as elitist double standards within Democratic politics, while progressives defended Mamdani, arguing that one dinner does not erase his record as a housing advocate. But the optics were undeniably awkward for Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who has built his campaign around affordable living and economic equity.
The New York Post confirmed that the photo was taken Wednesday night at the Greenwich Village location of Omen Azen, a restaurant with limited reservations and a menu featuring sushi platters that can exceed $150 per person with drinks. It’s a destination more associated with high-end clientele than grassroots campaigners. According to one staff member quoted in the Post’s coverage, the candidate “appeared comfortable and familiar with the menu.”
Mamdani has not yet issued a formal response to Rapaport’s comments, but sources close to his campaign told reporters he paid for his meal personally and did not use campaign funds. Still, the episode has fueled questions about how closely his public persona matches his private lifestyle — a narrative that political opponents are eager to push as the New York mayoral race tightens. Critics argue that his decision to stay in a rent-stabilized apartment while earning a legislator’s salary already reflects a disconnect between his privileged position and the voters he claims to represent.
For Rapaport, whose brand blends political commentary with comedy and provocation, this isn’t the first time he has taken aim at Democratic figures over perceived hypocrisy. He previously criticized New York City politicians for rising crime rates and what he calls “fake progressivism” that hurts ordinary citizens while benefiting elites. In his latest rant, he doubled down, telling followers, “If you want to lead the working class, you should at least eat where the working class can afford to eat.”
The incident underscores how social media moments can reshape political narratives overnight. For Mamdani, who had been enjoying steady momentum as a grassroots candidate, this unexpected controversy may prove costly in a race where authenticity matters as much as policy. Meanwhile, Rapaport’s comments have cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s loudest critics of Democratic politics — and a voice that many conservatives are now cheering on.
As for the viral photos, they’ve already become fodder for memes and parody posts across X and Instagram. Whether Mamdani can recover from this PR hit remains to be seen, but for now, the sushi spot where it all started is reportedly booked solid for the weekend — proof that in New York, even political scandal can drive demand.
