Mayor Mamdani Moves into Gracie Mansion with Ambitious Plans
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani has officially taken up residence in the historic Gracie Mansion, and he’s already contemplating some changes. During a press conference on January 12, the mayor shared his “fervent hope” to add several bidets to the official mayoral residence.
“One of the things we will change is installing some bidets in Gracie House,” Mamdani mentioned. “That’s an ambitious hope. Let’s see if we can make it happen.”
However, his proposal has faced criticism from some prominent Democrats in New York City, who labeled it a wealthy fantasy from someone advocating for socialism. One well-known Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, remarked, “He’s been mayor for a while now, and now the socialists think he has enough cash to buy a bidet.”
The discussion has drawn comparisons to former President Donald Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Bedroom bathroom. A Democratic congressman pointed out the difference in reactions to Mamdani’s bidet aspirations and Trump’s opulent changes. In November, Trump shared a photo of his lavishly renovated bathroom, which features “highly polished statuary marble.” While he claimed it matched his vision, historians and comedians widely criticized the move. Comedian John Oliver labeled it “tone deaf.”
Trump’s renovation of the East Wing ballroom also sparked backlash, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commenting that Trump “found the time to demolish the east wing of the White House so he could build a ballroom where he could celebrate like a king.”
On “Saturday Night Live,” the East Wing updates were also mocked, featuring a skit with James Austin Johnson impersonating Trump, among others. According to Michael Che, he was “glad the floor looked slippery” during the parody.
Gracie Mansion, which has been the official residence of New York’s mayors since 1942, has its own historical significance. Built in 1799 by merchant Archibald Gracey, it originally stood as a country house. Over the years, as the city expanded, it became part of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, known for its affluence.
The mansion is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Manhattan. As mentioned on its official website, it was designated the official mayoral residence when Fiorello H. LaGuardia and his family moved in. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses played a key role in making that decision back in 1942.
HomeAdvisor recently reported that the average cost for installing a bidet in 2025 is around $640, with estimates ranging from $400 to $1,500. Costs vary significantly based on the type and installation requirements, with some bids being as low as $40 or reaching up to $2,000.
Meanwhile, HomeGuide breaks down standalone bidets, estimating their costs between $700 and $2,600, including installation. Bidet attachments, on the other hand, typically range from $100 to $300.
As of now, the specifics on how exactly the city plans to implement the bidets at Gracie’s residence remain uncertain. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has welcomed Mamdani’s initiative, stating, “More bidets = less wipes.”
