New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlighted Citadel CEO Ken Griffin’s Manhattan penthouse in a viral video announcing the new pied-à-terre tax. (Credit: NORGES BANK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT)
Citadel CEO Ken Griffin called a viral video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani—showing Griffin and his Manhattan condo while announcing the new tax—a “personal attack” and a “deep lack of judgment.”
On April 15, Mamdani posted a video showing Griffin’s property to announce the new pied-à-terre tax. The move prompted a hedge fund executive to threaten to pull the plug on a $6 billion development project in the city.
The video shows Mamdani, who has promised to raise taxes on New York’s wealthy, standing on the street just outside Griffin’s 24,000-square-foot building. Griffin bought the home in 2019 for $238 million, marking the most expensive home sale in American history.
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Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin called a viral video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani singing in her Manhattan basement while announcing the new tax a “personal attack” and a “deep lack of judgment.” (Denis Balibouse/Reuters/Reuters)
“This is the annual fee for luxury properties worth more than $5 million, whose owners do not live full time in the city. Like this penthouse, hedge fund executive Ken Griffin bought for $238 million,” said Mamdani in the video.
Speaking at the Norges Bank Investment Conference 2026 in Oslo, Griffin questioned the “demonstration” of business leaders.
“What upsets me is the personal attacks,” Griffin said. “Like you were at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday where they tried to kill the president. It’s a long way from where I live in New York where they killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.”
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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park on April 27, 2026 in New York City. Mayor Mamdani was joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul, government officials and members of New York New (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images)
“So I think the New York mayor’s willingness to turn this policy debate into a personal attack shows a serious lack of judgment,” he added. “I understand that New York has debts to pay.”
After the video, Griffin—who lives in Florida—indicated that he might cancel his latest project in Midtown Manhattan. He is currently expected 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 its fiscal house in order and replace itself with a strong pro-business government, or do they want to play … why do Americans think we can do socialism?” he asked. “We don’t have that in our DNA and we’re going to destroy it.”
FOX Business has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.
‘The Guy Benson Show’ host Guy Benson and Unleash Prosperity founder Steve Moore discuss Citadel rethinking NYC investment after Mayor Zohran Mamdani allegedly targeted CEO Ken Griffin’s proposed tax ‘The Bottom Line.’
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Earlier this year, Hochul tried to tax wealthy New Yorkers who left the country.
He then urged them to return because of concerns about the shrinking of the government’s tax base. Most recently, he introduced a tax proposal aimed specifically at high-priced second homes in New York City.
