Shockwaves on ‘The View’: Mamdani’s Hamas Talking Points Leave Hosts Stunned and Spark National Debate

In a moment that instantly ricocheted across social media, the hosts of ABC’s ‘The View’ were left visibly shocked when Zorhan Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and Democratic Socialist, appeared to echo Hamas talking points during a heated segment on the show. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising urgent questions about the boundaries of political discourse, the influence of radical ideologies in mainstream politics, and the future of New York City itself.

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A Pre-Taped Episode, A Live Controversy

The day began with Dave Rubin’s Reuben Report, pre-taped in observance of Yom Kippur, but the news cycle was anything but slow. Rubin, known for his blunt style and pointed commentary, wasted no time highlighting Mamdani’s appearance on ‘The View,’ describing it as “horrible” and “jihad adjacent.” The segment, which had already been making waves online, was dissected with characteristic candor.

The Scene: ‘The View’ Hosts Expecting Politics As Usual

When Mamdani took his seat on ‘The View,’ the hosts—Joy Behar, Sarah Hines, and others—expected a lively discussion about New York City’s future, Donald Trump’s threats to withhold federal funding, and the usual political sparring. Instead, Mamdani’s answers quickly veered into territory that left the panel visibly uncomfortable.

Joy Behar pressed Mamdani on Trump’s threats and his plans to resist federal overreach, prompting Mamdani to promise to “fight every step of the way” for New York. But it was Sarah Hines’ question—about Mamdani’s refusal to unequivocally condemn Hamas—that set the stage for the day’s most explosive moment.

The Hamas Question: Evasion and Outrage

Hines asked pointedly: “Just this week you were evasive with a reporter about condemning Hamas given New York has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Why should voters who see this as a moral red line trust your clarity and judgment?”

Mamdani’s response began with a perfunctory condemnation of Hamas and the October 7th attacks, calling them “horrific war crimes.” But almost immediately, he pivoted to accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza, claiming “every single hour the Israeli military [is] killing a Palestinian child for close to two years.”

The hosts’ discomfort was palpable. The audience, too, seemed unsure how to react as Mamdani’s rhetoric blurred the moral lines between terrorism and state defense, a tactic critics say is increasingly common among far-left activists.

Dave Rubin’s Take: “A Masterclass in Hypocrisy”

Rubin, watching the clip, offered a scathing analysis: “Mamdani’s selective outrage is a masterclass in hypocrisy. He condemns October 7th as a war crime but labels Israel’s self-defense a genocide—a grotesque inversion of reality.”

Rubin pointed out Mamdani’s history: refusing to sign a Holocaust resolution, comparing the “global intifada” to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and supporting BDS efforts to isolate Israel. “His universal international law shtick crumbles when he ignores Hamas’s atrocities while weaponizing ICJ rulings against Israel,” Rubin said. “He doesn’t want justice. He wants ideological theater that endangers Jewish New Yorkers and empowers Iran-backed extremists.”

The Fallout: Hosts, Viewers, and New Yorkers React

The reaction was immediate. Social media lit up with clips of Mamdani’s remarks, many viewers expressing shock that a mayoral candidate would equivocate on condemning terrorism. Jewish organizations in New York released statements demanding clarity and accountability. Even progressive commentators, usually supportive of Mamdani’s platform, struggled to defend his rhetoric.

For many, the incident was a wake-up call about the spread of radical ideas in mainstream politics. The View’s hosts, usually comfortable with heated debate, seemed genuinely aghast—a rare moment of bipartisan alarm.

Comedy Meets Reality: Zack Sage’s Viral Street Interviews

The controversy spilled onto the streets, with content creator Zack Sage conducting mock canvassing for Mamdani in New York City. Sage asked passersby to sign in support of policies like higher taxes for “whiter neighborhoods” and refusal to condemn Sharia law—policies taken directly from Mamdani’s platform. The reactions ranged from confusion to outright disbelief, highlighting the disconnect between progressive rhetoric and everyday voters.

The Bigger Picture: Woke Ideology and Cultural Crossroads

Rubin connected Mamdani’s rise to what he calls the “woke mind virus” that has swept through American culture, from politics to entertainment. He cited recent controversies over children’s programming on Netflix, including shows accused of pushing pro-trans ideology to young audiences. Elon Musk’s viral meme comparing Netflix’s content to a Trojan horse for radical ideas only amplified the debate.

Rubin argued that parents must take responsibility for what their children consume—and for where their dollars go. “If you think you’re paying for Netflix and it’s doing harm in your house, then you probably shouldn’t be paying for it,” he said.

Emma Watson and JK Rowling: The Culture Wars Continue

The episode also touched on the ongoing culture wars, with Emma Watson’s recent attempt to reconcile with JK Rowling over trans issues. Watson, once a vocal supporter of transitioning children, now seems to be reconsidering her stance, seeking “grace and acceptance” after witnessing the backlash against Rowling.

JK Rowling’s response was characteristically sharp: “I am not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created… I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.”

Rubin and his guests agreed: the tide may be turning, but those who defect from radical orthodoxy face intense backlash from former allies.

The CNN Effect: Logic in a Clown World

Rubin cited the rise of Scott Jennings on CNN as a sign of hope. Jennings, known for his calm, logical approach, has become a viral sensation simply by stating common sense in a media landscape dominated by “hysterical shrieking.” Rubin and Musk agreed: “When you back off the crazy and let someone like Scott Jennings in, all the viral clips are him saying logical, reasonable things.”

New York’s Future: Communism, Chaos, or Common Sense?

As the segment drew to a close, Rubin lamented the state of New York City. With Eric Adams out and Mamdani polling at 84% on call sheets, the city seems poised for a radical shift. “It’s an abject disaster for the people of New York, for the United States, really for the world,” Rubin said. “They’re going to fake it for a year, and then it will start replicating like throwing water on a gremlin.”

Rubin’s personal connection to New York—having lived there for twenty years—made his warning all the more poignant. “Would I ever even want to come back during that? It’s very sad what’s about to happen to New York City.”

The Bottom Line: A Defining Moment for American Politics

The Mamdani incident on ‘The View’ is more than just a viral clip—it’s a microcosm of the broader struggle over the soul of American politics. As radical ideas move from the fringes to the mainstream, voters are left to decide whether ideological purity or practical governance will define the future.

For New Yorkers—and for Americans watching across the country—the choice has rarely been clearer, or more consequential.