Ken Griffin Critiques New York Mayor’s Tax Proposal
Ken Griffin recently expressed his discomfort with Zoran Mamdani’s social media posts, labeling them as “creepy” and “bizarre.” This commentary came after he watched a video where the New York mayor referenced Griffin to advocate for a new tax aimed at non-resident vacation homes.
In an interview at the Milken Global Conference, Griffin, who oversees Citadel Investment in Miami, mentioned that he had viewed the video three times. “Honestly, the first time I saw it, I thought, this has to be some sort of joke,” he remarked.
He further explained that his feelings evolved as he watched again, shifting from “creepy” to “actually not so creepy” and then to downright “scary.”
It appears Mamdani was signaling a push against what he perceives as wealthy individuals escaping taxes, with a proposal for levies on homes valued over $5 million.
In April, Mamdani staged a demonstration outside Griffin’s penthouse to promote the pied-à-terre tax, prompting backlash from the business sector. Critics claim the measure appears to be a class warfare tactic that could deter influential figures from remaining in the city and possibly lead to political unrest.
Griffin recalled the assassination of United Healthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed in Manhattan in 2024, and suggested that Mamdani’s rhetoric might provoke “political violence.”
“That’s really unsettling, especially considering the dynamics at play,” he noted, emphasizing his concerns about extremism on both ends of the political spectrum.
Previously, Griffin had intentions of expanding Citadel’s operations in New York, creating thousands of jobs and fostering significant economic activity. However, after Mamdani made Griffin the focal point of his tax initiatives, plans began to shift.
Recently, Citadel hinted at reassessing its growth strategy in New York. Griffin mentioned that Mamdani’s statements compelled the firm to at least reconsider its presence in the city, with the possibility of more focus on its Miami branches.
Having relocated Citadel’s headquarters from Chicago to Miami in 2022 due to concerns around governance and crime, Griffin remarked, “The mayor of New York has made it clear to my partners that we should invest more in Miami, a place that values business and individual opportunity over dependence on government provisions.”
During a recent talk, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mockingly named Mamdani one of his “Real Estate Agents of the Year,” suggesting that New York City’s left-leaning mayor would continue to drive taxpayers, including Griffin, to Florida.
Griffin, who has consulted with Trump on economic matters, reflected on the former president’s tenacity in overcoming numerous assassination attempts. He stated, “I’ve had my differences with him, but it’s simply astonishing to think about the mindset required to survive not just one, but three attempts on your life.”
Ken Griffin describes Mamdani’s comments about him as ‘creepy weird’
Ken Griffin Critiques New York Mayor’s Tax Proposal
Ken Griffin recently expressed his discomfort with Zoran Mamdani’s social media posts, labeling them as “creepy” and “bizarre.” This commentary came after he watched a video where the New York mayor referenced Griffin to advocate for a new tax aimed at non-resident vacation homes.
In an interview at the Milken Global Conference, Griffin, who oversees Citadel Investment in Miami, mentioned that he had viewed the video three times. “Honestly, the first time I saw it, I thought, this has to be some sort of joke,” he remarked.
He further explained that his feelings evolved as he watched again, shifting from “creepy” to “actually not so creepy” and then to downright “scary.”
It appears Mamdani was signaling a push against what he perceives as wealthy individuals escaping taxes, with a proposal for levies on homes valued over $5 million.
In April, Mamdani staged a demonstration outside Griffin’s penthouse to promote the pied-à-terre tax, prompting backlash from the business sector. Critics claim the measure appears to be a class warfare tactic that could deter influential figures from remaining in the city and possibly lead to political unrest.
Griffin recalled the assassination of United Healthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed in Manhattan in 2024, and suggested that Mamdani’s rhetoric might provoke “political violence.”
“That’s really unsettling, especially considering the dynamics at play,” he noted, emphasizing his concerns about extremism on both ends of the political spectrum.
Previously, Griffin had intentions of expanding Citadel’s operations in New York, creating thousands of jobs and fostering significant economic activity. However, after Mamdani made Griffin the focal point of his tax initiatives, plans began to shift.
Recently, Citadel hinted at reassessing its growth strategy in New York. Griffin mentioned that Mamdani’s statements compelled the firm to at least reconsider its presence in the city, with the possibility of more focus on its Miami branches.
Having relocated Citadel’s headquarters from Chicago to Miami in 2022 due to concerns around governance and crime, Griffin remarked, “The mayor of New York has made it clear to my partners that we should invest more in Miami, a place that values business and individual opportunity over dependence on government provisions.”
During a recent talk, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mockingly named Mamdani one of his “Real Estate Agents of the Year,” suggesting that New York City’s left-leaning mayor would continue to drive taxpayers, including Griffin, to Florida.
Griffin, who has consulted with Trump on economic matters, reflected on the former president’s tenacity in overcoming numerous assassination attempts. He stated, “I’ve had my differences with him, but it’s simply astonishing to think about the mindset required to survive not just one, but three attempts on your life.”
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