Zohran Mamdani Blames Bomb Threats on Trump’s Push to ‘Intimidate Voters’
Zohran Mamdani blamed bomb threats at multiple New Jersey polling locations on President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The frontrunner to be New York City’s next mayor shared his opinion with reporters on the morning of Election Day, after bomb threats temporarily closed down polling sites in the Garden State.
Those threats, Mamdani said, were “part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken to intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud as a means of trying to repress the voice of Americans across this country.”
The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist added: “It’s incredibly concerning, and I think that it is an illustration of the attacks we’re seeing on our democracy.”
Mamdani’s comments shocked a few Fox News personalities.
Kennedy said it sounded like something Kamala Harris would have spit out — only a little more tidy.
“He is serving up a Kamala-size word salad, but he’s using kale instead of romaine,” Kennedy said. “It’s just a slightly better finessed verbiage than we were given with her. This is emptiness, it means nothing. What he’s doing is deflecting because he doesn’t have an answer for this because he is not prepared, if God forbid, something like 9/11 happens again.”
She added it “scares the hell out” of her, thinking about Mamdani handling a disaster. Hemmer also noted one of the polling sites that closed down was in Passaic County, which supported Trump over Harris during the 2024 election.
Mamdani is projected to beat ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to become NYC’s new mayor on Tuesday.
Trump has mocked Mamdani a few times for his socialist beliefs and has dubbed him “my little communist.”
Trump on Tuesday morning urged Jewish New Yorkers to not vote for Mamdani, who he called a “self professed JEW HATER.” The president also said, during an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, that he was not a “fan” of Cuomo — but he would still prefer to see Cuomo win the race.
Watch above via Fox News.
The post Zohran Mamdani Blames Bomb Threats on Trump’s Push to ‘Intimidate Voters’ first appeared on Mediaite.
When NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was photographed having dinner with his wife at Omen Sushi in Manhattan, it set off an unexpected wave of reactions online. Actor Michael Rapaport posted the photo on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing Mamdani for dining at what he described as “one of the priciest joints in NYC.” He accused the candidate of hypocrisy, claiming he lived in a rent-stabilized apartment while enjoying luxury meals.
Many users quickly called out the post, saying Rapaport’s outrage was misplaced. They pointed out that Omen Azen isn’t even close to being among the city’s most expensive restaurants. The restaurant’s tasting menu costs about $145, and most dishes fall in the $15 to $40 range, comparable to many mid-tier Manhattan spots.
Users on Reddit and X wasted no time fact-checking Rapaport’s claims. Many shared screenshots of the restaurant’s menu, showing that its prices were far from exclusive. Some commenters noted they had eaten there themselves and that it’s a popular, cozy spot, not a luxury venue. “That’s not even the priciest sushi restaurant on the block,” one user wrote.
Others said they were frustrated with how easily public figures can twist ordinary moments into outrage bait. Many New Yorkers noted that spending around $150–$200 for a dinner for two isn’t uncommon for a special occasion in the city. “Working-class people save up for nice dinners all the time,” one commenter added.
The backlash grew stronger as users accused Rapaport of racial and religious bias. Many said the tone of his tweet carried Islamophobic undertones, particularly targeting Mamdani, who is of Ugandan-Indian descent and Muslim. Some felt his comments were less about class and more about policing who gets to enjoy certain spaces in New York.
Several pointed out that Rapaport himself has shared photos dining at Nobu Malibu, a restaurant far more expensive than Omen Azen. That comparison led many to call his criticism hypocritical. One user summed it up simply: “It’s funny that the guy yelling about sushi is the same guy who eats $400 sushi without blinking.”
Beyond the personal attack, the post reignited debates about how the public views “working-class” politicians. Mamdani, a progressive state assembly member representing Queens, often speaks about economic justice and affordable housing. His supporters argued that having dinner out doesn’t contradict those values. “Being working class doesn’t mean living on instant noodles forever,” one Redditor commented.
The incident also highlighted how social media often amplifies class resentment in ways that don’t reflect real life. Critics called the backlash a form of “poverty policing,” where people decide what others can or can’t afford based on appearance or political alignment. For many, this episode showed how quickly an everyday activity can be spun into a political weapon.
The all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of economy-wide inflation, increased 0.3 percent from July 2025 to August 2025 and was up 2.9 percent from August 2024. Food prices rose even faster than overall inflation. The CPI for all food increased 0.4 percent from July 2025 to August 2025. Food prices in August 2025 were 3.2 percent higher than in August 2024.
No surprise that 91% of New Yorkers are concerned about inflation and how much they pay for food. Zohran Mamdani, the current front-runner for New York mayor, has a plan to address this pain point, citywide.
His vision and platform could make food affordable and accessible to New Yorkers in need. With over 1.5 million New Yorkers lacking access to food, his plan is one of the biggest topics on the campaign trail.
At the center of his plan to make New York more affordable for residents are five city-owned grocery stores.
In a recent TikTok video, he stated that all the city-owned grocery stores would operate without the stress of making a profit or the worry of paying property taxes or rent. In return, those deductions and savings would be passed on to New York's citizens by offering food at wholesale prices.
Mamdani also stated that the city-owned stores would be able to partner with local farms and other small businesses to work together for the city's betterment.
These stores would be intentionally located in “food deserts,” areas where residents have limited access to affordable, fresh groceries. They’d focus on providing everyday essentials at wholesale prices to help ease the burden of rising food costs.
The city-run grocery stores would sell food staples like bread, milk, and veggies at wholesale prices. This means the high markup wouldn't be passed on to customers, resulting in significant savings across the board.
Food struggles and the cost of living hit hard in New York City, and it hasn't helped that grocery costs have climbed each year since 2020. Low-income areas suffer the most with limited income and options, while local corner stores operating in those areas charge high prices for older produce, and big chains skip these spots because of other factors and better areas for opening stores.
Mamdani says that city-run stores could change that. His vision is to make food affordable and accessible, while also providing steady jobs and working there. Unlike offering tax breaks for chains, public stores stay put and would be a constant in the area.
He also believes that these city-run grocery stores will help boost neighborhoods by drawing more foot traffic for shopping and building stronger communities. The revenue coming in would help to fix up the shops and aid community programs.
Mamdani stated that the best way to get started is to launch a pilot program, with five initially city-run grocery stores. The initial cost to the city and taxpayers would be about $60 million, which is lower than the city spends on private supermarkets.
These costs will include cleaning the space, setting up the store, buying all necessary equipment, hiring and training staff, preparing for opening, and any other expenses that arise along the way.
Mamdani stated that the city will redirect funds allocated to corporate supermarkets and instead give them to city-owned grocery stores, so that price-gouging doesn't occur and prices stay low.
Can this work in a busy place like New York? History says yes and no.
One example that critics are looking at is a city store that opened in Baldwin, Florida. It brought fresh food to the area but closed down because other big box stores drew too many shoppers, and the smaller store couldn't compete.
Erie, Kansas, saw the same outcome. The market lost money most years, and it shut down entirely in 2025. But the city-owned grocery store in St. Paul, Kansas is thriving in year twelve of business and says it's successful due to community support and effective leadership.
Food woes will continue to grow as prices rise, and there seems to be no end in sight to the problem, which worsens every month.
If Mamdani wins the race, New York could become one of the leading US cities in public food access and serve as a blueprint for other cities to follow.
Mamdani's idea sparks discussion and debate, with praise and criticism on both sides.
When Joshua picked up an old couch at a garage sale, he thought he was just scoring a budget-friendly piece of furniture for his garage. But everything changed when his dog discovered a hidden package tucked inside the cushions…
Just a few weeks back, I decided to give my garage a small makeover. I’d been slowly converting it into a simple guest room—nothing fancy, just a cozy space where friends or family could stay.
All I needed to complete the setup was a secondhand couch—something basic, sturdy, and as inexpensive as possible. That’s what led me to a quiet Saturday morning garage sale. The moment I saw it, the couch stood out.
It had worn floral fabric, slightly scratched wooden legs, and a faint scent of lavender lingering in the cushions. It was exactly what I was looking for. The woman selling it, who looked to be in her early forties and seemed a bit weary, gave me a friendly smile as I walked up.
“You’ve got a good eye,” she said. “I’m Kristen. This belonged to my mom.
She adored this old thing. I don’t know where she got it from, but it’s been around my entire life.”
“I’m Joshua. It’s got character,” I replied, running my hand over the worn fabric.
“How much are you asking for it?”
“Twenty bucks,” she said quickly. “We’re clearing out her house. She passed away six months ago.”
Her voice softened as she looked over at the house.
“It’s been hard, but we need the money for my daughter’s treatments. She’s been unwell for a while now, leukemia. We’re going to miss the garden here.”
I nodded, suddenly unsure of what to say.
“You know what, Kristen, I’ll take it.”
She called over her teenage son to help lift it onto my truck, and as I drove off, I felt like I’d gotten a real bargain. It might have been a little worn and in need of new upholstery, but for $20, it was a steal. What I didn’t expect was what happened next.
As soon as I placed the couch in the garage, my dog, Wasabi, went absolutely wild. He barked like crazy, racing around before honing in on one particular spot on the couch with intense focus. “What’s gotten into you?” I laughed, watching as he scratched at the fabric with wild determination.
Wasabi wasn’t letting up. He was practically digging into the couch with his tiny paws, and that’s when it hit me: stories about people finding hidden treasures in old furniture. 
Could it really happen to me?
“Alright, alright,” I muttered, grabbing a knife. “Let’s see what’s got you so worked up.”
I made a small cut in the area Wasabi had been attacking, my hands trembling as I peeled back the fabric. And there it was.
Bundles of cash. 
“Holy…” I whispered, staring at the wads of bills stuffed inside the couch. My heart raced as I pulled out stack after stack, laying them on the floor.
By the time I was done, there was over $20,000 sitting in front of me. Wasabi barked triumphantly, wagging his tail like he’d just won the lottery. “Good job, buddy,” I said, ruffling his fur.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the cash, my thoughts racing. This could be life-changing. Absolutely everything could be different—
Paying off bills, building up savings, maybe even taking that dream trip.
Every possibility flashed through my mind. But then I remembered the woman from the garage sale. Her daughter.
The medical treatments. This money wasn’t mine to keep. It wasn’t mine to spend.
I got back in the car, the cash tucked into my gym bag beside me. When I pulled up to the house, Kristen looked genuinely surprised to see me return. “Hi!
Do you remember me? I bought the couch earlier,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Is there something wrong with it?” she asked, tilting her head.
“No, nothing at all,” I said. “I was just curious about it. Who did the couch belong to?”
Her expression softened.
“It was my mom’s, Joshua,” she said, remembering my name. “Like the house, she had it for decades. We found so many family photos with that couch in the background.
Letting it go was hard, but we need the money, you know? My daughter’s very sick, I think I told you?”
I nodded. “Anyway, it was either this or sell the house.”
I shifted on my feet, uneasy.
“Your mom never mentioned saving money, did she?” I asked. Kristen hesitated, then nodded. 
“Actually, she did.
She said she’d hidden some savings, but she couldn’t remember where. We searched everywhere. And I mean everywhere.
All the drawers, closets, under floorboards, but never found anything. Why do you ask?”
“I… I think I know what happened to it,” I said carefully. “Can we talk privately?”
“Come to the kitchen,” she said.
“Let’s have a glass of lemonade.”
In her kitchen, I placed the bag onto the table, while Kristen set a glass of lemonade down. “Kristen, I found this inside the couch,” I said, unzipping the bag. She peered inside and gasped.
“Oh my goodness,” she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. “Is this… Is this… Mom’s?”
“I think it’s the money your mom mentioned. I can’t keep it.
It belongs to you and your child for her treatment.”
Her hands flew to her mouth as the first tear slipped down her cheek. 
“This can pay for her treatment,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’ve saved her life.
Mackenzie can… Mackenzie can get better. Thank you… thank you so much.”
She reached for my hands, squeezing them tightly. “Joshua, please, let me take a picture of you.
I want to remember this moment forever.”
“Sure, I guess,” I said, smiling faintly. She snapped a photo, her hands still shaking. “You have no idea how much this means to us.
Thank you.”
As I got home, I found my fiancée in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables to add to the roast chicken she was preparing. I told her everything. She listened, her expression a mix of disbelief and pride.
“You did the right thing,” Nicole said, wrapping her arms around me. “I’m so proud of you.”
The next morning, Kristen posted the whole story on social media. She explained how a complete stranger had returned her late mother’s hidden savings, making it possible for her daughter to receive the treatment she needed.
The post spread like wildfire. Within hours, it had gone viral—comments, shares, and reactions flooded in. Local news stations picked it up, and soon, people from all over the country were calling me a hero.
It didn’t feel real. Then the ripple effect started. A few days later, someone knocked on my door.
It was a lawyer with a $20,000 check—gifted by an anonymous donor who’d been touched by the story. “You gave it up willingly,” she said. “So, here you go.
Use it wisely.”
A few days later at work, my boss called me into his office. He’d seen the post too. “I wish we had more people like you on the team,” he said.
“We need leaders with your integrity, Josh.”
By the end of the meeting, I’d been given a promotion and a raise. But the moment that truly stayed with me came a few weeks later, when I received a card in the mail from Kristen. Inside was a photo of Mackenzie, smiling brightly.
Because of you, my child has a future. We’re forever grateful, Josh. That $20 couch didn’t just shift the course of my life—it reminded me of the person I aspire to be.
Someone my kids can admire. Someone who chooses what’s right, even when no one’s watching. Each time I sat on that couch in the garage, usually with Wasabi curled up beside me, I felt certain I’d made the right decision.
About a month later, Nicole and I were curled up on that same couch, a big bowl of popcorn between us and Wasabi stretched out across our laps. A black-and-white movie played quietly in the background, but neither of us was really paying attention. My thoughts kept drifting to Kristen’s card—and the photo of her daughter, smiling with hope.
“I still can’t believe this all started with the couch,” I said, running my fingers along the couch. Nicole turned to me, her face glowing in the dim light. “I can,” she said softly.
“What do you mean?” I asked. She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is who you are, Josh,” she said.
“You’ve always put others first. When we met it was us volunteering as elves for the orphanage’s Christmas party. Remember how you stayed late that one time at the senior citizens’ home?
To build a second wheelchair ramp?”
“That was different,” I said, shrugging. “No, it wasn’t,” she insisted. “It’s who you are.
You see people or animals… and they need help. And you just do the right thing without thinking about it. It’s what I love most about you.”
Her words hit me hard, and for a moment, I couldn’t say anything.
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Michael J. Fox has worn many hats throughout his extraordinary life — beloved actor, bestselling author, activist, and a tireless advocate for Parkinson’s disease research. Yet, in his own words, the most meaningful and rewarding role he has ever embraced is that of being a father. To him, family has always been the anchor, the constant source of joy, stability, and purpose even as he has faced some of the most difficult challenges imaginable.
Fox has been married to actress Tracy Pollan since 1988, one of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories. Their marriage, which has lasted more than three decades, has weathered the glare of fame, the realities of raising a family in the public eye, and the heavy weight of his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the young age of 29. Together, they have built a life rooted in love, humor, and resilience. They are parents to four children: their eldest son Sam, born in 1989; twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, born in 1995; and their youngest, Esmé, born in 2001.
Over the years, Fox has often described their household as vibrant and sometimes chaotic — but always full of love. In one interview with Reader’s Digest, he joked that having four children sometimes felt like having five, a lighthearted remark that reflected the bustling, lively energy of their family life. Beyond the jokes, however, he has made it clear that fatherhood is not a responsibility he takes lightly. Even with a demanding career and the personal battles he has faced, he has always put his children at the center of his world.
One of the pieces of parenting wisdom Fox has shared reveals just how deeply he values being present in his children’s lives. He once said: “Always be available to your kids. Because if you say, ‘Give me five minutes,’ it’ll be 15, it’ll be 20. And then when you get there, the shine will have worn off whatever it is they wanted to share with you.”
Despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis, which could easily have overshadowed his life, Fox has often credited his children with giving him strength and perspective. Rather than defining him, the disease has, in many ways, deepened his appreciation for fatherhood. He has praised his children not only for their unwavering support but also for the resilience and empathy they have shown as they grew up with a father navigating a chronic illness in the public eye. In interviews and public appearances, he has often said that his children inspire him every day to keep pushing forward, to advocate for change, and to live with hope and humor.
His family has also been a constant presence in his public life. Fans who follow him on Instagram have often seen heartwarming glimpses of the bond he shares with them, from candid snapshots to celebratory milestones. These moments reflect more than just happy memories — they reveal a family built on deep mutual love and respect.
Fox’s admiration for his wife Tracy is equally touching. On Mother’s Day 2022, he shared a heartfelt message of gratitude to her, writing: “Our children are beautiful, sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, independent, compassionate, adventurous, lovely people. That’s your fault.” With these words, Fox acknowledged not only his wife’s role as a mother but also the profound impact she has had in shaping their children’s character. It was a public declaration of love and appreciation, further proof that their partnership has always been the foundation of their family’s strength.
As his children have grown into adulthood, Fox has continued to cherish his role as a father, now with the added joy of watching them carve out their own paths in life. Sam, Aquinnah, Schuyler, and Esmé may not live under the same roof anymore, but the bond they share as a family remains unbreakable. Fox has expressed immense pride in seeing them become independent, thoughtful individuals while still holding onto the values of kindness and empathy that he and Tracy instilled in them.
Michael J. Fox’s legacy in Hollywood is undeniable — from his breakout role as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties, to his time-traveling adventures as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, to his courage as the founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised over a billion dollars for Parkinson’s research. Yet, if you ask him, his greatest achievement isn’t fame or accolades. It’s being “Dad.” It’s the everyday moments of laughter, the hard-earned lessons, the hugs, the inside jokes, the unconditional love that defines his life away from the spotlight.
He remains an inspiration not only because of his professional success or his courage in the face of illness, but because of the way he has embraced fatherhood with such authenticity, humility, and joy. In his eyes, being a father is not just a role — it’s the very essence of who he is. And that, perhaps, is Michael J. Fox’s greatest legacy of all.
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