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Dave Portnoy Considers NYC Mayor Race, Labels Opponent Communist

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said he is considering running for New York City mayor against incumbent Zohran Mamdani, whom he called a communist who hates America.
Portnoy highlighted the Barstool Fund, seeded with $500,000 and raised to $41.6 million for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
X commenters ridiculed the idea, saying he would lose by ‘Jong-Un margins’ and urging him to leave the city if defeated.

History

Historical Context

In June 2015 Donald Trump announced his presidential run, and by February 2016 his campaign had garnered almost $2 billion in free media, outpacing rivals and showing how celebrity fame can translate into electoral power. His November 2016 victory proved that high-profile media personalities could win national office, a pattern now echoed by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s mayoral speculation in New York City.

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Story summary

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said he is considering running for New York City mayor against incumbent Zohran Mamdani, whom he called a communist who hates America.
Portnoy highlighted the Barstool Fund, seeded with $500,000 and raised to $41.6 million for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
X commenters ridiculed the idea, saying he would lose by ‘Jong-Un margins’ and urging him to leave the city if defeated.

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