Conservative Radio Host Issues On-Air Apology for Islamophobic Remarks
Right-leaning WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg has publicly apologised after calling New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a "cockroach" in a since-deleted social media post earlier this week. The shock jock admitted during Wednesday's broadcast of Sid and Friends in the Morning that his comments were "over the top" and inappropriate.
Rosenberg's Controversial Comments and Subsequent Apology
The inflammatory post, which appeared on Monday, described Mayor Mamdani as an "America hating, Jew hating, Radical Islam cockroach running our once beautiful city." Rosenberg told his listeners on Wednesday that he should not have resorted to name-calling and revealed he had already offered a private apology to the mayor.
"I should not resort to name-calling. I've already apologized to the mayor and it was heartfelt," Rosenberg stated during his broadcast. He attributed his outburst to anger over the ongoing conflict in Israel, which has faced retaliatory strikes from Iran in recent days.
"I did, unfortunately, take it out on the mayor," Rosenberg conceded. "I'll admit I flew off the handle, but that is because... my support and my love with the Jewish people."
Widespread Condemnation and Limited Support
The radio host's comments were almost universally condemned as Islamophobic by political leaders and community groups. Among the few defenders was Florida Republican Randy Fine, who responded to Rosenberg's original post with: "Sid, just don't compare him to a dog. Then they'll REALLY be upset."
Fine himself faced criticism days earlier for a social media post that appeared to express a preference for dogs over Muslims, adding another layer of controversy to the exchange.
Mayor Mamdani's Response and Political Support
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the incident during a press conference on Wednesday, emphasising that the issue extended beyond personal attacks. "This is not about me," Mamdani stated. "This is about the more than one million Muslims who call New York City home and who have long had to deal with racist and dehumanizing rhetoric and the absence of any kind of pushback."
The mayor acknowledged support from numerous New York Democratic leaders, including:
- Governor Kathy Hochul
- Senator Chuck Schumer
- City Council Speaker Julie Menin
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
"What we saw over these last few days is so many leaders across the city standing up and saying that this is not the kind of language we will accept in a city that is home to all of us," Mamdani added.
Rosenberg's Political History and Future Intentions
The conservative radio host, who celebrated his 10-year anniversary with WABC in January, has a history of controversial political commentary. In 2024, Rosenberg endorsed Donald Trump at a Madison Square Garden rally, where he called Hillary Clinton a "sick son of a b****" and described Democrats as "a bunch of degenerates, lowlifes, Jew haters."
Despite his apology, Rosenberg made clear he would continue to criticise Mayor Mamdani's policies. "Nothing's going to change. I'm not going to lighten up on the Mayor," he stated during his broadcast. "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."
The host revealed he had consulted with his wife, daughter, and friends before deciding to apologise publicly, and admitted losing sleep over the backlash. Rosenberg initially supported Republican Curtis Sliwa in the mayoral race before shifting to Democrat-turned-Independent Andrew Cuomo, both of whom ultimately lost to Mamdani, a former New York State assemblyman.
