Pete Davidson delivered a straightforward message to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. Davidson, a lifelong New Yorker, made an emphatic request for the mayor to address the persistent issues surrounding the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).
The comedian brought up the topic after host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned Mamdani’s forthcoming guest spot. Davidson’s message was clear and direct: “Yes, could he fix the ‘f—–g BQE, please?”. This plea was shared via the talk show’s Instagram page, which captured Davidson expressing exasperation over the long-delayed construction of this key highway.
NYC DRIVERS SHELL OUT $9 CONGESTION TOLL. CITY ADMITS IT FAILED TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
The BQE serves as a critical artery running through Brooklyn and Queens. However, it has been plagued by problems related to heavy traffic and aging infrastructure. Davidson’s call for action struck a chord with the studio audience, eliciting cheers and applause.
“You hit on something,” Kimmel remarked as Davidson humorously acknowledged the crowd’s reaction. “That’s the loudest response I’ve ever gotten,” Davidson commented, underscoring the widespread discontent with the BQE situation.
Davidson elaborated on his frustration, describing how the construction has been ongoing without visible progress since before his birth. His observation included scenes of idle workers and cones marking unproductive construction sites. “They’re never doing anything,” Davidson lamented. He urged for clarity on the source of funds and the unseen progress, remarking, “who’s getting money from whatever, but just fix it, please.”
Kimmel assured Davidson that he would relay the concerns to Mayor Mamdani. As Mamdani later joined the show, he addressed Davidson’s query by outlining the city’s future plans for the BQE. He spoke of the $4 billion BQE Central Project aimed at rehabilitating the section between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street starting in 2030. Mamdani promised, “Full safety. No diversion of traffic into local neighborhoods and actually bring it back.”
In a playful exchange, Kimmel joked about the timeline, suggesting, “So you’re saying Pete’s daughter will also be complaining about this,” which drew laughter from both Mamdani and the audience.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani captured attention last November with his unforeseen electoral success, fueled by a strong online presence and grassroots efforts. Now serving as mayor, Mamdani represents the Democratic socialist faction, having ascended to office at the start of the year.
Davidson, known for his comedic takes on politics, has been overtly vocal in criticism of public figures, including former President Donald Trump, and openly supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In a separate revelation, Davidson divulged plans to remove most of his extensive collection of around 200 tattoos. He explained to Variety his decision, citing poor quality, inconvenience in professional settings, and distancing from his past painful experiences. Despite this, Davidson confirmed retaining his tattoo of Clinton, expressing, “She stays,” referring to the image of Clinton on his leg.
Ashley Hume, a journalist at Fox News Digital and Fox Business, reports on entertainment and industry trends alongside major happenings in the celebrity world.