Zohran Mamdani crashes The Tonight Show to join Jimmy Fallon’s “It’s so cold” running joke

The mayor appeared unexpectedly, joining Fallon’s cold-weather joke

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday night, briefly stepping into the spotlight during the host’s opening monologue.

The unexpected walk-on marked Mamdani’s first late-night television appearance since taking office earlier this month.

While he had previously appeared on programs like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Daily Show before winning the mayoral race last November, this was his first cameo as the city’s newly inaugurated leader.

'The Tonight Show' welcomed NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani to cap Jimmy Fallon's run of "It's so cold..." jokes. pic.twitter.com/dXmV38wGAM

— LateNighter (@latenightercom) January 27, 2026

Mamdani’s appearance was tied to a recurring joke that Fallon has been running for weeks. Since early December, the host has repeatedly leaned into a cold-weather gag centered around the mayor, joking about just how frigid New York City has become. With the region recently hit by a major snowstorm and plunging temperatures, the timing proved perfect.

After Fallon delivered several variations on his familiar “It’s so cold…” setup, Mamdani walked onstage to deliver his own punchline, quipping that the freezing temperatures had even caused New York City rent to stop rising. The moment drew laughter from the audience before the mayor shifted to a more sincere note, urging viewers to stay indoors, keep warm, and remain safe amid the harsh conditions.

The cameo came during what has already been a high-profile early stretch of Mamdani’s tenure. The recent snowstorm marked one of his first major challenges in office, and he has drawn attention for maintaining a visible presence throughout the city, including public briefings, media appearances, and visits to affected neighborhoods.

Monday night’s episode also featured appearances by Pete Davidson and Paris Hilton, rounding out a show that blended comedy, pop culture, and a touch of New York City politics.