Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Zohran Mamdani town hall back on after Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 22, 2025
Modified Sep 22, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Patrick Dodson/Gothamist
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 22, 2025
Modified Sep 22, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Zohran Mamdani said Monday he was looking to reschedule a town with WABC, citing the parent networks’ decision to put Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night television show back on the airwaves.
“Last week, Disney/ABC caved to Trump administration pressure. Millions of Americans helped them find their backbone. Whether you watch Jimmy Kimmel or not, today's decision is a victory for free speech,” Mamdani said. “We've reached out to WABC to reschedule the town hall.”
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" had been pulled off the air last week after a Trump administration official threatened to punish ABC and its affiliates for the host’s joke about MAGA supporters distancing themselves from Charlie Kirk’s assassin. On Monday afternoon, Disney announced Kimmel will return to the airwaves on Tuesday.
The decision to halt Kimmel's show last week prompted Democrats and some Republicans to say President Donald Trump had crossed a line and was suppressing free speech.
“The message that it sends to each and every American across this country is a message the First Amendment is no longer a right that can be counted on,” Mamdani said at a press conference on Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island. “But rather that it is government which will determine what should and should not be discussed.”
“We cannot normalize these kinds of acts nor offenses,” the democratic nominee added.
Mamdani has focused his campaign on attacking the president, who is widely unpopular in the city, heading into the general election. He’s sought to paint two of his opponents, Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as compromised by Trump.
Trump has called Mamdani, a democratic socialist, “my little communist” and suggested he would use his leverage as president to undermine the assemblymember’s policies should he win City Hall.
WABC, which operates as ABC7, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani, said the campaign notified WABC early Friday afternoon. The town hall would have lasted 90 minutes and included questions from a live audience. Pekec said the town hall was initially pitched by the campaign.
Protesters demonstrating in support of Jimmy Kimmel outside an ABC building in Manhattan.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
The town hall would have been a rare opportunity for a lengthy televised Q&A between Mamdani and New Yorkers. There are two official debates scheduled — the first on Oct. 16 hosted by WNBC, Telemundo and Politico. WNYC/Gothamist, NY1 and The City are hosting the final debate on Oct. 22.
WABC has scheduled town halls with some other mayoral candidates, including Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Maria Sliwa, a spokesperson for Sliwa, said the campaign was notified on Saturday that WABC was no longer going forward with the town halls due to “a number of considerations.”
“Yet again, Zohran Mamdani uses any excuse to duck transparency, accountability, and facing the public,” he said in a statement. “Winning the primary clearly went to his head, but New Yorkers will send him packing back to the People’s Republic of Astoria when I beat him on November 4th.”
Andrew Cuomo had not yet agreed to a town hall with WABC. His campaign accused Mamdani of trying to dodge questions on his record..
"ABC suspending Kimmel was a big mistake, but refusing to talk to local reporters because of the actions of their parent company shouldn't pass anyone's smell test and the press shouldn't continue to give him a pass,” Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, said.
Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign declined to comment on the canceled town halls. A spokesperson did not say whether the mayor had agreed to participate in a town hall with the network.
Polls show Mamdani leading the field by double-digits ahead of Cuomo, followed by Sliwa.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec.
Tagged
Politics
new york city
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .