NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani looked almost demonic in his April 15 Tax Day video, where he put his face right up against the camera lens and gleefully announced that he was going to tax the hell out of wealthy New Yorkers. I'm using the word “demonic” as hyperbole — I’m not suggesting he’s possessed or from the underworld — but I do argue that he was purposefully being “in your face” and provocative.
He came with a glint in his eye and a devilish grin as he relished the prospect of punishing people with his proposed pied-à-terre tax, which would place an annual levy (the exact rate has not yet been decided) on properties that are not the owner’s principal residence.
The obvious solution that many rich people will quickly conclude: get the hell out of the Big Apple and go invest those millions in Florida or Dubai.
You almost can’t believe this video is real, it’s so maniacal:
Happy Tax Day, New York. We’re taxing the rich. pic.twitter.com/Wky2LFXC9W
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 15, 2026
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Now, if you watched the clip, you’ll have noticed that he pointed to a specific property and attempted to portray it as a sign of evil. But guess what? Someone — a U.S. citizen, a living, breathing, tax-paying person — owns that property. God only knows how much he pays the city and state of New York each year in assessments, and this is how elected officials treat him? Despicable.
His name is Ken Griffin, and he’s the billionaire CEO of Citadel, a major international hedge fund, and he’s the owner of the $238 million, 24,000-square-foot Manhattan property.
It’s easy to grow jealous and bitter of those who have achieved great success, and many small-minded people fantasize about humiliating people who have accumulated more wealth than they have — but it comes at a cost (just ask Russia, Cuba, or China).
You see, those people can leave, and they can take their money, their jobs, and their tax payments with them.
And that is exactly what Ken Griffin is pondering. He might just take his $6 billion, 350 Park Avenue project to greener pastures:
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s viral video—which singled out Griffin and his Manhattan penthouse while announcing a new tax—a "personal attack" and a "profound lack of judgment."
[…]
Speaking at the Norges Bank Investment Management 2026 Investment Conference in Oslo, Griffin questioned the "demonizing" of business leaders.
"What upset me was the personal attack," Griffin said. "Like, you were at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday where they tried to assassinate the president. Not too far from where I live in New York is where they assassinated the CEO of UnitedHealthcare."
"So I think the willingness of the mayor of New York to make this policy debate a personal attack just demonstrated a profound lack of judgment," he added. "I understand that New York has bills to pay."
As Gavin Newsom’s California is finding out — billionaires are fleeing in droves over a proposed five percent wealth tax — New York may come to the ugly realization that flogging your meal ticket isn’t the smartest way to go.
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Ken Griffin:
— Benny Polatseck (@BPolatseck) April 23, 2026
• Employs over 2,500 people in New York City
• Donated $400 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Contributed $25 million to expand the Success Academy charter school network.
But @NYCMayor Mamdani wanted to make a cool video, so I guess it was… https://t.co/uq2ggEK5SA
Ken Griffin:
• Employs over 2,500 people in New York City
• Donated $400 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Contributed $25 million to expand the Success Academy charter school network.
But @NYCMayor Mamdani wanted to make a cool video, so I guess it was all worth it.
Mamdani’s little stunt may cost the people of New York, the ones he vowed he would make lives better for. You see, Ken Griffin can take his ball and go home — or to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, or any other state where they don’t treat the successful like vermin:
Following the video, Griffin—who primarily resides in Florida—signaled that he might cancel his latest project in Midtown Manhattan. He is currently slated to meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to discuss the "future direction of New York."
"Here's the real question: is New York going to put their fiscal house in order and run itself from a position of a strong government that is pro-business, or are they looking to play ... why do the Americans think we can do socialism?" he asked. "We have none of that in our DNA and we are just going to screw it up."
That project had been projected to bring 6,000 construction jobs and more than 15,000 permanent jobs, but you be you, Zohran.
Do I wish I had a billion dollars? Sure, why not. Do I dream about a 24,000 square foot second residence? Actually, no, I have zero interest — I don’t want to get lost looking for the bathroom. Do I hate those who have made more money than I have? Also no, because that would be stupid (not to mention in direct contradiction of the Tenth Commandment).
We already ensure that the uber-wealthy “pay their fair share” through our progressive tax code. Dehumanizing them, however, is not productive, as California, New York, and other blue states are finding out the hard way. Despite that, they only want to double down on the self-destructive behavior. Next stop: they’ll come looking for more federal bailouts.
Trump, or whoever is serving when that inevitably happens, should say no. Hell no.
