Zoharan Mamdani’s ‘Flagrant’ moment: Andrew Schulz roasts London as Mamdani recalls his family’s return to Uganda

During a recent episode of Flagrant, the hit comedy podcast hosted by Andrew Schulz, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani shared a personal story about his family’s exile and return to Uganda — only for the conversation to take a sharply comedic turn.

As Mamdani described how his family fled Idi Amin’s regime in 1972, finding temporary refuge in London before eventually returning to Kampala, Schulz interjected with his trademark roast, taking aim at Britain’s capital and its housing conditions.

Mamdani, whose parents were among the thousands of Ugandan Asians expelled by dictator Idi Amin, recounted how his family became refugees in London during the 1970s.

Like many exiles, they struggled to rebuild their lives in a foreign city before returning to Uganda after Amin’s fall. True to Flagrant’s unfiltered style, co-host Andrew Schulz couldn’t resist adding humour to the sombre story. As Mamdani mentioned his family’s brief time in public housing, Schulz quipped about how “shitty” London must have been for refugees to voluntarily go back to Africa. “Whoever built that camp, don’t hire them to build 200,000 units in New York,” Schulz joked, turning a tale of displacement into a sharp critique of Western housing standards.

The moment drew laughter in-studio and online, where viewers praised the podcast’s ability to blend heavy themes with irreverent wit.

Social media reacts

The Flagrant episode featuring Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Schulz quickly ignited widespread discussion online. Many users praised Mamdani’s calm, good-humoured presence and Schulz’s ability to keep the conversation light while tackling sensitive topics. Critics questioned his eligibility and roots, asking how someone not born in New York could become its mayor. A few accused him of dishonesty regarding statements made in previous interviews, while others mocked his lack of traditional political polish.