Michael Rapaport Shocks Bill Maher With Story of Wife’s Assault in Broad Daylight NYC [WATCH]

Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport spoke candidly about rising crime in New York City during an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, revealing that his wife has been assaulted and harassed multiple times in public.

The discussion, which aired Monday, focused on safety in the city and growing frustration with political leadership.

Rapaport, who has long identified as a liberal, said his views on law enforcement and accountability have hardened in recent years as crime has escalated across the city.

He also expressed strong opposition to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, describing the city’s current direction as “unsustainable.”

“I want people to feel safe in New York City. You know, I want my wife to feel safe. My wife is a tough broad. She doesn’t feel safe in Midtown Manhattan during the day,” Rapaport said.

“My wife, in the last two or three years, has been groped in Times Square, has had a f**king shoe thrown at her, has been called the n-word, and got proposed to on the train by a homeless person, all between 11 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”

Rapaport’s remarks surprised Maher, who has frequently discussed urban crime on his program.

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Rapaport said the situation has deteriorated to the point that women no longer feel secure walking alone even in broad daylight.

“It’s not cool for women to feel uncomfortable during the daytime in the greatest city on Earth,” he said.

“It’s also not cool that, under any circumstances, you could touch a police officer, not be from this country, come out the next day and walk out of the court like f**king Tupac like those guys did when they jumped, you know, like f**king giving the middle finger to photographers.”

NEW: Bill Maher *STUNNED* as Actor Michael Rappaport tells him how unsafe NYC feels

RAPPAPORT: “I want people to feel safe in New York City. I want my wife to feel safe. My wife is a tough broad — she doesn’t feel safe in Midtown Manhattan during the day!”

MAHER: “Really!?”… pic.twitter.com/6xMwi4b2hu

— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) November 3, 2025

He criticized what he described as lax prosecution and inadequate enforcement against violent or repeat offenders.

Rapaport emphasized that residents who grew up in the city knew how to navigate it safely but that the current level of lawlessness was unprecedented.

“I grew up on the New York City subway system. I grew up taking the subway. You got to pay attention. It’s not Disneyland. It’s not the Central Park Zoo. But people like — it shouldn’t be a thrill, it shouldn’t be a house of horrors,” he said.

Rapaport’s comments align with broader concerns voiced by New Yorkers about violent incidents on subways, random assaults, and quality-of-life crimes that have increased in recent years.

City officials have faced growing criticism for policies that reduce bail and shorten sentencing for offenders accused of serious crimes.

The actor has previously supported progressive candidates but said the city’s leniency toward offenders has gone too far.

His remarks about Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflect frustration with proposals the assemblyman has put forward, including reduced policing, higher taxes, and expanded social programs.

Mamdani, who currently serves in the New York State Assembly, has campaigned on an aggressive socialist platform that calls for defunding law enforcement, eliminating bus fares, and expanding public housing initiatives.

His approach has drawn strong reactions from critics who argue it would worsen the city’s public safety crisis.

Rapaport did not mention Mamdani by name during the podcast but has made his opposition clear in previous interviews, warning that the candidate’s policies would “drive more people away from New York City.”

As the city heads into its mayoral election, safety remains one of the most pressing issues for voters.

Polls show widespread concern over crime and growing skepticism about progressive criminal justice reforms.

Rapaport’s account added a personal dimension to that debate, highlighting how many New Yorkers—regardless of political background—say they no longer feel safe in the city they call home.

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