John Oliver defends Mamdani amid pundit criticism | JQJO

On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver celebrated Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race over Andrew Cuomo, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. He aired the mayor-elect’s speech and pushed back at pundit criticism, including CNN’s Van Jones and a Washington Post editorial, calling it unfair after what he described as an Islamophobic campaign. Oliver also highlighted Cuomo’s ads—some reportedly AI-made—mocking one bizarre spot featuring a pregnant Schoolhouse Rock bill, before delivering a profane alternative he joked Mamdani could have said.