Comedian Pete Davidson did not hold back when delivering a pointed message to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The 32-year-old performer appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday evening. During the broadcast, host Jimmy Kimmel, 58, informed Davidson that Mamdani, 34, would be the next guest. Kimmel then highlighted Davidson's status as a "lifelong resident of this city" and inquired if he had any questions for the mayor.
Davidson's Direct Challenge to Mayor Mamdani
Davidson's immediate response was unequivocal: "Yes, could he fix the f------g BQE, please?" This moment was captured in a clip shared on the show's official Instagram page.
The BQE, an abbreviation for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is a critical New York City thoroughfare that traverses Brooklyn and Queens. It has long been a subject of public frustration due to severe traffic congestion and its deteriorating infrastructure.
Davidson's impromptu appeal was met with immediate cheers and resounding applause from the studio audience.
"You hit on something," Kimmel observed regarding the crowd's reaction.
"Look at that," Davidson remarked, gesturing towards the appreciative audience.
He added with a chuckle, "That's the loudest response I've ever gotten."
The former "Saturday Night Live" star elaborated on his frustration, citing the seemingly endless construction work and what he described as a noticeable absence of progress at the site.
"The BQE has been under construction since before I was born. And here’s my problem with it," Davidson stated. "They’re never doing anything. Someone’s just standing there eating a sandwich or on the phone, and there’s all these cones around."
He continued, speculating, "So I don't know what mob front or whatever, who's getting money from whatever, but just fix it, please."
Kimmel assured Davidson, "I'm going ask him about it. I will ask him about it," to which Davidson earnestly replied, "Yeah, please!"
Mayor Mamdani's Response to Infrastructure Concerns
Later, at the conclusion of Mayor Mamdani's segment on the program, Kimmel presented Davidson's question.
"One more thing," Kimmel told Mamdani.
"Hit me," Mamdani responded with a smile.
Kimmel then relayed the message: "Pete Davidson wants to know what's going on in the BQE. He says he drives by it and he sees nobody doing anything. He said it's been like since before he was born."
Mamdani addressed the concern by detailing his office’s "BQE Central Project," a $4 billion initiative aimed at rehabilitating the city-owned segment of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway situated between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. Construction for this project is slated to commence in 2030.
The mayor outlined the plan: "We're gonna be putting a multi-billion dollar plan to actually repair the part the city owns. Which is the part that is currently the most at risk and that's going to be proceeding over the next 10 years. Full safety. No diversion of traffic into local neighborhoods and actually bring it back."
Kimmel lightened the mood with a joke, saying, "So you’re saying Pete’s daughter will also be complaining about this," which prompted laughter from Mamdani and the audience.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, emerged as an unexpected victor in New York City’s mayoral election last November. His campaign gained significant traction through effective social media engagement and grassroots organizing. He officially assumed office on January 1 following his swearing-in as mayor.
Davidson's Political Stance and Personal Reflections
While Davidson typically approaches political topics with humor, he has previously voiced criticism of former President Donald Trump and openly supported Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election cycle.
Following Clinton's defeat in the 2016 election, Davidson posted an impassioned pro-Clinton message. He later had a tattoo of the former Secretary of State inked on his body, describing her as his "hero."
In a recent interview published Wednesday, Davidson discussed his ongoing process of removing nearly all of his approximately 200 tattoos.
He cited several reasons for the removals: "One, they were f----n' horrible. Two, it was a business decision. I hated coming into the makeup trailer three hours early to spray-paint over horrible f----n' tattoos. And third, I was like, ‘I’m not this dude.’ I got these when I was in an immense amount of pain and I was trying to show people my pain."
Davidson also acknowledged that some of his tattoos served to conceal past self-harm scars.
"I used to cut, so some of [the tattoos] covered up the cuts," he revealed.
However, Davidson confirmed that his tattoo of Hillary Clinton would remain, despite the extensive removal of his other ink.
"She stays," he affirmed, referring to the tattoo depicting Clinton in a power suit on his right leg.
Davidson added, expressing his admiration for Clinton, "That’s my dog. I love Hillary, man. She’s awesome and a good friend."