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'Shock jock' Rosenberg says he apologized to Mayor Mamdani for calling him a 'cockroach'
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 4, 2026
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Paul Frangipane/VIEWpress
By
Charles Lane
Published Mar 4, 2026
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WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg said he apologized to Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday after calling him an “America-hating, Jew-hating, Radical Islam cockroach” and a “jihadist” in a since-deleted social media post earlier this week.
In a video shared Wednesday, Rosenberg said his comments were “a bit over the top” and claimed he had apologized to Mamdani, who is New York City's first Muslim mayor.
“I should not resort to name-calling,” Rosenberg said on his show, "Sid and Friends in the Morning" on Wednesday. “I've already apologized to the mayor and it was heartfelt.”
A City Hall spokesperson said Rosenberg did not contact the mayor directly. “Time will tell how sincere of an apology it is,” Mamdani said on Wednesday.
The apparent apology followed days of mounting criticism over Rosenberg’s remarks from Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Rosenberg has a history of incendiary remarks. He referred to tennis legend Venus Williams as an “animal” and once referred to the U.S. Women’s Olympic soccer team as “juiced-up dykes.” He also mocked singer Kylie Minogue’s breast cancer diagnosis.
Tisch dined with Rosenberg earlier this year and has previously appeared on his show. Menin appeared on his show two weeks ago.
The mayor thanked the elected officials and New Yorkers who spoke out against Rosenberg’s remarks, saying the controversy was bigger than him.
“This is not about me,” Mamdani said. “This is about the more than 1 million Muslims who call New York City home and who have long had to deal with racist and dehumanizing rhetoric in the absence of any kind of pushback.”
Rosenberg’s remarks came on Monday after Mamdani condemned U.S. military strikes on Iran, calling them “a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.”
As criticism mounted on Tuesday, Rosenberg posted on social media, “No one can force me to apologize. I won’t do it. I did nothing wrong!”
On Wednesday, WABC CEO John Catsimatidis said the station would not tolerate personal attacks.
“We believe open conversation is important to talk radio in our country, but personal attacks on individuals is not acceptable at WABC,” Catsimatidis said.
In his broadcast on Wednesday, Rosenberg attributed his outburst to anger over Iran’s recent attacks on Israel.
“I did, unfortunately, take it out on the mayor,” Rosenberg said. “I'll admit I flew off the handle, but that is because ... my support and my love with the Jewish people.”
Rosenberg said he spoke privately with his wife, his daughter and other close friends before recording the message and said he “didn’t sleep last night.”
Rosenberg maintained he would continue to criticize Mamdani’s policies.
“ I'm still Sid. But every now and then you have to step back and say, ‘Maybe this time a little bit much,’ but it ain't gonna stop me from being Sid,” he said.
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Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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