Pete Davidson Critiques NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on BQE Construction

<p>Comedian Pete Davidson addressed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday night. Kimmel informed Davidson that Mamdani would be a guest on the show and asked if he had any questions for the mayor.</p><p>Davidson responded, asking, "Yes, could he fix the BQE, please?" The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) is a significant highway in New York City, known for its traffic congestion and aging infrastructure.</p><p>Davidson's comment received applause from the studio audience. He expressed frustration over the ongoing construction on the BQE, stating, "The BQE has been under construction since before I was born. And here’s my problem with it: They’re never doing anything. Someone’s just standing there eating a sandwich or on the phone, and there’s all these cones around."</p><p>He added, "So I don't know what mob front or whatever, who's getting money from whatever, but just fix it, please." Kimmel assured Davidson that he would ask Mamdani about the issue during his appearance.</p><p>When Kimmel presented Davidson's question to Mamdani, the mayor highlighted the BQE Central Project, a $4 billion initiative aimed at rehabilitating the city-owned section of the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street, with construction expected to begin in 2030. Mamdani stated, "We're gonna be putting a multi-billion dollar plan to actually repair the part the city owns, which is the part that is currently the most at risk and that's going to be proceeding over the next 10 years."</p><p>Mamdani took office on January 1 after winning the mayoral race in November 2025. He is identified as a Democratic socialist and gained popularity through social media and grassroots campaigning.</p><p>Davidson has previously discussed political issues humorously but has also openly criticized former President Donald Trump and supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. In a recent interview, Davidson mentioned he is in the process of removing most of his tattoos, except for one of Clinton, which he described as a tribute to her.</p>