Mamdani’s Tax Video Sparks Feud With NYC Billionaire

NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani has recently tried to open communication with Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, but the billionaire hedge fund executive has not responded, according to reports from NBC.

Sources in New York’s business community told NBC New York that Mamdani attempted to reach Griffin through an intermediary after a Tax Day video posted by the mayor drew backlash from business leaders and Griffin himself.

In the video, Mamdani pointed to Griffin’s $238 million Manhattan penthouse while promoting a proposed pied-à-terre tax targeting ultrawealthy property owners.

The video “infuriated” Griffin, according to people familiar with the fallout.

Griffin has since warned he could expand Citadel’s footprint in Miami instead of Manhattan and accused the Mayor of putting him at risk by publicly spotlighting his residence.

Steven Fulop, president of the Partnership for New York, said Griffin had not spoken with the mayor as of Thursday.

“Look, if you're Ken Griffin and you were singled out and vilified as if you've done something wrong, and the reality is that you donate hundreds of millions of dollars to philanthropy, let alone paying billions of dollars in taxes, and somebody wants to have a private conversation without a public apology or public recognition that that was a mistake?” Fulop said in an interview with NBC New York. “You probably wouldn't want to have that conversation either.”

Fulop said Mamdani “should acknowledge the fact that it was a mistake” to single Griffin out publicly.

The Mayor’s office declined to comment on efforts to contact Griffin.

A spokesperson for Griffin confirmed Mamdani had not directly called the Citadel CEO but declined to say whether intermediaries had attempted to arrange communication.

After NBC New York published its report, the spokesperson said Griffin was not waiting for an apology before responding.

“Ken cares deeply about New York City and welcomes thoughtful, serious conversations about the policies that can grow the City's economy and create more opportunity for all New Yorkers,” Griffin spokesperson Zia Ahmed said in a statement. “Reckless political theater serves no purpose and undermines the future of one of the world's most important cities.”

Mamdani has softened his rhetoric toward business leaders in recent weeks while continuing to defend the proposed tax.

“We want everyone to stay in this city and we also want others to join them here in this city,” Mamdani said during a budget announcement Tuesday.

“We want every New Yorker to succeed and when it comes to business owners, we want them to create good paying jobs and to strengthen our economy,” he added, saying Griffin remained part of that vision.

Mamdani has defended his decision to feature Griffin’s penthouse in the video, saying the property symbolized the narrow slice of ultrawealthy homeowners targeted by the proposed tax.

“That home when it was purchased was the most expensive home in the U.S.,” Mamdani said. “We want to make very clear that this applies to a very select group of properties.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the dispute during a Tuesday interview on WABC radio.

“When you lose people like that, it's sort of not recoverable,” Trump said. “You've got to cherish them. You got to bring them to the office. You got to meet them. You have to have dinner with them. You have to convince them not to leave.”

Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said discussions between City Hall and executives continue despite tensions surrounding the mayor’s economic agenda.

“In the meetings I've had with the mayor and also without the mayor, but with companies and with CEOs, it's very clear that beneath all the noise is a great desire to work together to make New York City better,” Su said.