Ramy Youssef’s Beacon Theatre Show Features Surprise Appearances by NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and Recently Released Mahmoud Khalil

Comedian Ramy Youssef’s June 28 performance at the Beacon Theatre culminated in a powerful, emotional moment as he welcomed surprise guests New York City’s surging Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and recently released Columbia University alum Mahmoud Khalil to the stage.

The atmosphere was electric even before Youssef appeared, with notable figures like Cynthia Nixon and Cory Michael Smith in attendance. The buzz intensified with whispers of Mamdani’s potential presence, whose recent primary victory has captivated the city.

Mamdani, who has been drawing significant crowds at various venues, received a thunderous standing ovation from the nearly 3,000-strong Beacon audience. He briefly touched on his campaign’s core message of housing affordability, with Youssef humorously interjecting a warning against accepting invitations to “islands.”

The evening’s second profound moment came as Youssef, visibly emotional, introduced Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil, a Columbia University alumnus and new father, had been detained by ICE in Louisiana from March 8 until June 20 for exercising his free speech rights regarding Gaza. His appearance triggered an even more fervent standing ovation, with audience members visibly moved to tears.

Khalil, despite his ordeal, displayed a surprising lightness, praising Mamdani’s principled campaign and Youssef’s comedic resilience. “Our joy is an act of resistance,” Khalil declared, emphasizing the importance of hope. With his arm around Mamdani, Khalil expressed his hope for his son to grow up in a city where a man like Mamdani could be mayor, to which Mamdani responded, “My hope is that your son will grow up in a city where he is free to speak.”

The trio, whom Youssef called “brothers,” shared a powerful embrace and took a picture for the crowd, reminding the phone-locked audience that while they couldn’t capture the moment, it would be preserved. The show, a potent blend of comedy and poignant social commentary, left the audience buzzing with renewed hope and a sense of shared purpose.

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