Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport, one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal celebrity critics for years, says his perspective on the president changed dramatically following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel and the subsequent hostage crisis.
During a recent appearance on comedian Jamie Kennedy’s podcast, Rapaport acknowledged that his views evolved after spending significant time in Israel, meeting with hostage families, and closely following efforts to secure the release of those kidnapped during the attack.
“You were mad at Trump. Now you’re cool with Trump?” Kennedy asked.
“Yeah,” Rapaport replied. “But I have problems, and he’s far from not being … infuriating.”
Rapaport explained that the events following October 7 forced him to reassess a number of assumptions he previously held.
“After Oct. 7, I realized the magnitude and scope of the hostage situation,” Rapaport said. “I knew that the only way that those hostages who were being held for weeks and then months and then a year, I knew that the only chance would be [Trump].”
The comedian said his change in tone toward Trump was driven primarily by what he viewed as the administration’s role in pursuing the return of hostages and supporting Israel.
“Why I don’t insult him now, and I could insult him and I could be derogatory towards him, is because for me, simply getting the hostages home was enough for me to not … be disrespectful,” Rapaport said.
Rapaport has become one of the entertainment industry’s most outspoken supporters of Israel since the October 7 attacks. According to his comments on the podcast, he has traveled to Israel nine times over the last two-and-a-half years and spent extensive time speaking directly with affected families.
“The exposure and the enlightenment and the conversations I had with the hostage families, the reality that I saw, it’s worth it for me to not be disrespectful to him because I fought, begged, prayed, pleaded to get the hostages home by any means necessary,” he said.
The actor acknowledged that some longtime followers have criticized his shift in attitude toward Trump. He said he understands their disagreement but remains comfortable with his position.
“For me, it was enough to get the hostages home and protect Israel’s right to exist,” Rapaport said. “Those two things were enough for me.”
Perhaps the most striking moment came when Rapaport reflected on his own past commentary.
“I wasn’t as informed, plugged in, educated as I am about politics, world politics,” he said of his earlier years as a Trump critic. “I think it’s great to admit when you were wrong, uninformed, misinformed and spoke out of turn.”
The comments mark one of the more notable political reassessments from a high-profile entertainment figure who spent years publicly attacking Trump.
Rapaport has also recently generated headlines closer to home in New York. In recent months he has floated the possibility of running for mayor and has become a sharp critic of New York City politics.
Speaking previously about a potential 2029 mayoral run, Rapaport said he would only step aside if a stronger candidate emerged who could defeat current Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“I think that he’s the greatest bull-crapper in the history of politicians … and that’s saying a lot,” Rapaport said during an earlier television appearance.
One reason this story is attracting so much attention is that public figures rarely say, “I got it wrong.”
Agree with Rapaport or disagree with him, that admission is unusual in today’s political culture.
He cited conversations with families, visits to Israel, and what he says he witnessed firsthand. That’s a very different explanation than the ones audiences typically hear from celebrities discussing politics.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News — Michael Rapaport owns up to getting Trump wrong after years of bashing him
- NewsNation — Michael Rapaport discusses possible New York mayoral run
- New York Post — Rapaport speaks out on Israel, hostages, and American politics
