Marc Rowan Sounds Alarm Over NYC’s Future Under Mayor-Elect Mamdani

Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan delivered a stark warning to New York’s Jewish community on Monday night, blasting Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for what he described as the normalization of antisemitism and cautioning that “dark times” may lie ahead.

Speaking at UJA-Federation’s annual Wall Street dinner at the Marriott Marquis, Rowan addressed nearly 2,000 donors in one of the organization’s most high-profile fundraising events of the year. He did not mince words.

“Someone who uses antisemitism in their campaign and normalizes antisemitism — he is our enemy,” Rowan declared, referencing Mamdani’s rhetoric on Israel and refusal to denounce violent slogans such as “Globalize the intifada.” “We should make no mistake, we face challenges at home. I don’t think we have to wait to know.”

Rowan’s comments were a direct response to Mamdani’s long-standing criticism of Israel, including accusations of “genocide” and “apartheid,” as well as his ties to radical anti-Israel movements. Rowan warned that such language fuels hatred and endangers the Jewish community.

“These could potentially be dark times,” he said, urging the audience to remain vigilant, unified, and vocal. “We need to be the ones to call him out. We need to say it.”

Since Hamas’s October 7 massacre in Israel, Rowan has become a leading figure in the fight against antisemitism across American institutions. He was instrumental in the campaign that led to the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and board chair Scott Bok, citing their inadequate response to antisemitic incidents on campus.

In his speech, Rowan also emphasized the need to support Jewish leaders who take public stands against antisemitism, acknowledging the personal and professional risks they often face. “We give, we show up, we have cohesion. We now need to lead,” he said, to strong applause from the audience.

The event raised a record $57 million for UJA-Federation, and also featured moving testimony from former Gaza hostages Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. Julie Solomon of Ares Management was honored, and the evening closed with a tribute to the late Wesley M. LePatner, a respected figure in the Wall Street and philanthropic communities. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.