Can Comedy Change Politics?

Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs

Zohran Mamdani’s First Influencer on How Humor Shapes the Left: A Conversation with Cassie Willson

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Cassie Willson is a comedian and content creator based in New York City. She wrote a couple musicals before realizing she loves attention, so she pivoted to comedy. In December 2024, she was the first influencer to platform Zohran Mamdani, when he was still polling at 1%. With over 600k followers across platforms, her videos reach millions of people every week. Her content focuses on leftist politics and cultural commentary, all through a comedic lens.This event is primarily student-focused. Only students will be allowed to ask questions during the Q&amp;A session.This event will not be livestreamed or recorded, but all are welcome to attend in person.IMPORTANT NOTE: Community members are still welcome to attend In the News, but reservations must now be made at least 48 hours in advance (Monday 6 pm) and will no longer be available at the door. Selecting a Colby student or faculty &amp; staff ticket without a valid Colby email address will automatically void the reservation and admittance will not be granted.ALL attendees must show a Colby ID or state ID when checking in.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the News is a recurring event series dedicated to sparking dialogue among visiting speakers and Colby students from diverse disciplines. Together, we tackle pressing topics in politics, policy, and the press. Our speakers bring firsthand insights and practical wisdom about issues that resonate with our student body. We hope attendees will leave with a deeper understanding, a fresh perspective, or even a transformed viewpoint.

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