New York Citys socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani has conceded that billionaire Citadel CEO Ken Griffin has ignored his outreach following a high-profile tax the rich stunt staged outside Griffins Manhattan penthouse.
Appearing on CNN, Mamdani was pressed by host Kaitlan Collins over his push to hike taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, a campaign that has drawn sharp criticism from business leaders and taxpayers alike, according to The Post Millennial. Collins highlighted recent remarks from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who argued that soaking the rich would do little to lift middle- and lower-income residents, a point that undercuts the lefts reflexive demand for ever-higher taxation.
Mamdani dismissed Bezos concerns by suggesting that extreme wealth naturally breeds opposition to higher taxes. And I think that if I was worth as much money as he was, then I would probably say the same thing, Mamdani said of Bezos. The fact of the matter is that we are talking about a city where one in four New Yorkers are living in poverty, and were hearing from one of the richest men that our world has ever seen about how he and others who make that kind of money shouldnt have to pay their fair share.
Collins then turned to the political theater outside Griffins $238 million Midtown penthouse, asking whether Mamdani had heard directly from the billionaire since launching his media campaign. Weve reached out [to Griffin] to make it clear that Im willing to meet with any and all business leaders across the city, Mamdani said. And I think thats important because, as the mayor of this city, Im looking to ensure that I meet with anyone who is a part of this citys not just economy, but our future.
Pressed further, Mamdani admitted that his office has received no response from Griffin as of yet. That silence underscores the growing divide between New Yorks progressive political class and the investors and job creators they routinely vilify while still relying on their tax dollars.
Mamdanis decision last month to film himself outside Griffins residence, demanding a new tax on luxury second homes, provoked swift backlash from the Citadel chief, who threatened to pull a $6 billion Park Avenue development. Bezos also rebuked the mayors attempt to turn Griffin into a political punching bag, saying Mamdanis portrayal was both unfair and counterproductive.
[Griffin] hasnt hurt anybody. Hes not hurting New York. In fact, quite the opposite. And so that piece of it isnt right. And there was no reason to do that, Bezos said. His comments highlight a broader concern on the right that progressive class warfare and punitive tax schemes will only accelerate the flight of capital, jobs, and high earners from blue cities already struggling with crime, fiscal mismanagement, and declining quality of life.
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