Mamdani doubles down on Ken Griffin attack despite – Business News
He has Zo regrets!
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was remorseless Friday about dragging billionaire Ken Griffin in a viral video selling a new, proposed pied-á-terre tax.
Hizzoner dodged when requested if he had any regrets about calling out Griffin particularly within the video final week filmed in entrance of the Citadel founder’s 24,000-square-foot property on Central Park South, which he bought for $238 million in 2019.
“That home, when it was purchased, was the most expensive home in the United States of America, publicly reported, and it was described as such,” Mamdani mentioned when pressed by reporters during an unrelated press convention in Brooklyn.
Mamdani stood in entrance of the Citadel founder’s 24,000-square-foot property at 220 Central Park South. @NYCMayor /X
“And in a political environment where there is always an attempt to describe any increase in taxes as if it would be one that would apply to all, we wanted to make very clear that this applies to a very select group of properties,” he mentioned.
It was the newest volley in a back-and-forth with Griffin launched by Mamdani’s eyebrow-raising April 15 video, through which he boasted that “today, we’re taxing the rich.”
He then spotlighted the Florida-based hedge fund titan’s Manhattan penthouse as one that may be hit by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed tax on multi-million greenback secondary houses in New York City.
But Griffin was not amused, with a prime govt at his fund blasting the mayor’s feedback in a searing, company-wide e-mail Thursday — and signaling he would possibly pull a $6 billion development project in Midtown.
“From his comments, it is apparent that the Mayor’s view is that these individuals do not contribute enough to the greater good,” Citadel COO Gerald Beeson wrote within the missive obtained by The Post.
Ken Griffin’s 220 Central Park South property. AFP through Getty Images
“It is shameful that he used Ken’s name as the example of those who supposedly aren’t carrying their fair share of the burdens associated with New York City’s often costly and wasteful spending,” he wrote.
“In doing so, the Mayor has once again manifested the ignorance and disdain of the elite political class towards those who have been consistently committed to building one of the greatest cities in the world.”
Beeson went on to counsel that Citadel might probably not transfer ahead with its redevelopment project of 350 Park Avenue, which he mentioned would carry 6,000 construction jobs and more than 15,000 everlasting gigs in Midtown.
“The project – if we move forward – will entail more than $6 billion dollars of spending,” he wrote.
Ken Griffin’s Citadel clapped back on the mayor’s video, and hinted at a potential reversal on a main construction project. Getty Images
When requested Friday if he was involved in regards to the risk of Citadel’s reversal on the project, Mamdani didn’t reply instantly however mentioned he needs all New Yokers — together with Griffin — to suceed.
“I want New Yorkers to succeed. I want them to build businesses, to grow our economy and to create good paying jobs. And Ken Griffin has been a part of that. He’s an important employer and business leader in our city, and as I do with every New Yorker, I do want him to succeed, as mayor,” he mentioned.
“I will continue to work with business leaders, including Mr. Griffin, as partners in building a city that continues to be the economic engine, not just of this state, but also of this country,” he continued — earlier than pivoting to what he known as the nation’s “fundamentally broken” tax system.
Asked if he had any regrets about his video name-dropping Griffin and whether or not he’d be keen to satisfy with the CEO, Mamdani solely answered the latter, saying he’d gladly communicate to him, “as I’d be happy to speak with many business leaders across the city.”
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“We all want this city to succeed, and that is something that I’m committed to, no matter a question of unanimity on every single political issue,” he mentioned.
He additionally didn’t reply when requested if he’d reached out to Griffin, as a substitute telling reporters that New Yorkers have been going through a “a generational fiscal crisis” better than the 2008 recession.
Mamdani added that he was intent on balancing town’s funds “in a manner that asks the wealthiest and most profitable corporations to pay that a little bit more so that everyone can afford to live in the city.”
“And that means Ken Griffin, and that means so many others across the city, and that also means those who would love to join us.”
Mayor Mamdani lambasted Ken Griffin’s penthouse in a viral video asserting a new tax on luxurious second houses. @NYCMayor /X
Mamdani was requested again if he regretted the stunt — particularly in gentle of the assassination of one other govt, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown in 2024 — with the reporter noting that he had stopped mentioning Griffin by identify since posting the video.
The mayor pivoted to explaining he wished to focus on the “very select group of properties” that may be lined by the pied-à-terre tax.
“And the reason that I gave other examples of this is that this piece of legislation is not motivated by any one individual. Rather, it is one that applies broadly without exception,” he mentioned. “And so the subsequent day, I spoke about a Saudi prince who purchased an house for $90 million a Russian auto supplier who purchased an house for close to $30 million in money.
“I say these things not because I do not want these individuals to be here in New York City or to purchase property in New York City,” he insisted, “but rather to outline that we are talking about a proposal that will have a very narrow impact, and one that is being driven by an intention to ensure that everyone can remain in the city, including those that are taxed.”
