Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy announced he is considering a political run for Mayor of New York City. During a Monday, June 29, appearance on Fox News’Jesse Watters Primetime, Portnoy voiced his immense frustration with the city’s current leadership under Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, explicitly stating, “I would love to run against him.”
Portnoy stated that the threat of being ruled by “dummies” and seeing the direction of New York City has him reconsidering his long-held stance of staying out of politics. He added, “Sometimes I do feel like it’s my duty. I can’t turn away. I feel like I could make a change.”
Dave Portnoy Defends His Credentials
🚨 BREAKING! Barstool’s Dave Portnoy says he MIGHT RUN for ELECTION 🚨”I might run against Mamdani… I feel like I could make a change.” 🔥”I’ve had a real job, I’ve done real things, unlike these clown politicians who have never had a job” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ANA1QvtMke
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) June 30, 2026
Defending his credentials, Portnoy, who was accused of sexual misconduct in two exposés published by Insider in late 2021 and early 2022, contrasted himself with career politicians, noting his efforts in saving small businesses during the pandemic: “I’ve had a real job, I’ve done real things, unlike these clown politicians who have never had a job and never been in the real world for a day.”
Despite his interest, Portnoy acknowledged that the local political demographics might favor Mamdani, questioning whether young voters in New York would ever look past their differences to vote for him.
Social Media Weighs In
Social media critics quickly quashed the erstwhile pizza critic’s political aspirations…