Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated on Tuesday that he has not received a response from Citadel CEO Ken Griffin after attempting to clarify remarks he made about the billionaire. Last month, Mamdani gained attention for a video where he discussed a proposed 'pied-à-terre tax' targeting wealthy property owners in New York City, which Griffin described as 'creepy and weird.' Mamdani's office has since reached out to Griffin to address their previous exchange.
During an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Mamdani was asked whether he had heard back from Griffin, to which he initially hesitated to respond. He later expressed his willingness to meet with business leaders to discuss the city's future and economic challenges. Mamdani highlighted the financial pressures faced by residents, even those earning six-figure salaries, particularly regarding childcare costs.
Mamdani reiterated his commitment to engaging with various business leaders, including Griffin, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, to foster collaboration aimed at addressing the affordability crisis in the city. He confirmed that he had not yet heard back from Griffin but plans to continue outreach efforts to communicate his vision for New York City. Griffin has previously criticized Mamdani's approach, suggesting it could deter investment in New York.