BS BULLETIN:
- Jessica Tarlov declared life under Zohran Mamdani “pretty cool,” contrasting Republican warnings about Sharia law with line dancing and free opera tickets.
- Critics quickly pounced on what they saw as an extraordinarily low standard for judging a mayor.
- Others questioned why taxpayers should be providing some of the perks Tarlov celebrated.
Jessica Tarlov wanted to make a point about predictions surrounding Zohran Mamdani.
Instead, her critics became fascinated by the standard she appeared to set for declaring his tenure “pretty cool.”
The Fox News co-host took to X Friday to contrast warnings from Mamdani’s Republican critics with what she says New Yorkers have actually experienced.
“The GOP promised us Mamdani would usher in sharia law,” Tarlov wrote. “Instead, we got line dancing in Bryant Park and free opera tickets. Pretty cool.”
That was apparently an invitation.
One respondent went directly after the government-spending angle, arguing that “line dancing and opera tickets are hardly the function of government.”
Another was considerably less diplomatic, telling Tarlov it was “pretty gross” that she was defending Mamdani.
Then came the obvious question lurking inside Tarlov’s argument: Is simply not imposing Sharia law really supposed to constitute a notable accomplishment for the mayor of New York City?
One critic argued that Mamdani wouldn’t have the authority to impose Sharia law on New York even if he wanted to, making Tarlov’s comparison beside the point.
Others responded with clips and posts about Mamdani’s previous positions, essentially arguing that free opera tickets and dancing in the park don’t answer substantive criticisms of his politics.
Twitchy summed up the reception rather succinctly: “Tough crowd.”
Tarlov’s original post was plainly intended as a jab at Republicans who portrayed Mamdani as a radical threat before he took office.
But the replies turned the premise back around on her.
Because “New York remains free of Sharia law” may be reassuring, but critics apparently aren’t ready to put it on a commemorative plaque at City Hall.
MY QUICK TAKE
There are political arguments you win by setting expectations low. Then there’s digging a trench beneath the expectations and waving triumphantly from the bottom.
The funny part isn’t really Mamdani here. It’s Tarlov inadvertently proposing a mayoral report card on which “didn’t institute Sharia law” apparently earns enough extra credit to start handing out opera tickets.
New York may want to keep that grading curve. At this rate, showing up to work wearing pants could qualify somebody for a ticker-tape parade.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Twitchy — Jessica Tarlov praises Mamdani over Sharia-law predictions
- Fox News — Jessica Tarlov biography
- PolitiFact — Fact check of claims Mamdani would bring Sharia law to New York
- Associated Press — Mamdani unveils plan to combat antisemitism in New York City
