Pete Davidson’s Staten Island pride sparked an unexpected exchange with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The comedian’s skepticism about the politician’s ties to his home borough prompted a response during a recent television interview.
Mamdani maintained that winning over Staten Islanders would depend on delivering tangible improvements to their everyday lives.
NYC Mayor’s Office Responds To Pete Davidson’s Staten Island Dig
Pete Davidson’s criticism of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani became a talking point during a recent episode of NY1’s “Out of Office with the Mayor,” which aired October 7.
Host Errol Louis brought up Davidson’s ownership of a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry before quoting his criticism of the mayor. “I don’t know if he has Staten Island’s heart,” Davidson had said.
Asked how he intended to win over the borough, which he lost in last year’s election, Mamdani offered a straightforward answer. “Results. It has to be on what you actually deliver,” he said, according to the official transcript.
Pete Davidson’s Daughter Is In Line For An Unusual Inheritance
Meanwhile, Davidson has no plans to part with the Staten Island ferry he purchased alongside fellow comedian Colin Jost in 2022. In fact, he hopes to keep it in the family.
During a recent appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the “Saturday Night Live” alum said he plans to pass the vessel down to his daughter, Scottie Rose, whom he shares with model Elsie Hewitt.
The 277-foot ferry, which once transported commuters between Manhattan and Staten Island, was decommissioned in 2021 after more than five decades of service.
Kimmel then wondered whether Scottie Rose even knew her father owned a ferry, prompting an unexpected answer.
“One day she will inherit that greatness,” the comedian declared. “She’ll get the ferry.”
The host followed up by asking whether Davidson intended to hold on to the boat for that long.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” Davidson replied, making it clear that the unusual purchase isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Davidson’s Ferry Purchase Comes With A Boatload Of Lessons
Davidson and Jost teamed up with comedy club owner Paul Italia to buy the vessel for $280,100 after winning the bid.
Italia said they made the investment to keep the old boat out of the scrapyard and planned to turn it “into a live entertainment event space, with comedy, music, art, et cetera.” Things seem to be going well, as Davidson said the ferry has already given them plenty of memorable experiences.
In his conversation with Kimmel, the “Bodies Bodies Bodies” actor noted that he and Jost now regularly talk about maritime law. They probably never expected it when they first decided to bid for it.
He added that owning the vessel has been a “learning experience,” saying he only recently realized that boats need air conditioning.
The vessel has also hosted a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show, been wrapped by Nike for the marathon, and served as the venue for Davidson and Jost’s recent one-night-only comedy show with Snapple.
The show, dubbed the Snapple Island Ferry, featured performances from some of New York’s top comedians on the upper deck.
While they initially faced pushback over the purchase, including from Jost’s wife, actress Scarlett Johansson, people have generally warmed up to the idea. Davidson said it’s been “fun” proving critics wrong about the boat.
“Colin’s also from Staten Island, and it’s something that we will be asked about for the rest of our lives,” he told PEOPLE. “It’s been fun. It’s also been fun proving people wrong.”
“It will be on our joint gravestone that I think we’re committed to,” Jost added. “Like the people bullying me growing up, now I own the boat. Try pushing me into the bathroom here now!”
Pete Davidson Says Doing His Own Stunts Led To Two Concussions
Elsewhere in his conversation with Kimmel, Davidson opened up about a major health scare he suffered while performing on set.
The 32-year-old revealed that he suffered two concussions in three weeks, resulting in what doctors described as “brain damage.”
When Kimmel asked how it happened, Davidson explained that he tried to do his own stunts on an indie movie. His supposed stunt double was 6 feet 6 inches tall, meaning viewers would easily spot the difference.
He added that he’ll need to wear his medicated glasses until mid-November because he can’t be exposed to bright lights.
