Mayor Mamdani seeks meeting with Citadel CEO Ken Griffin over tax backlash

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated on Friday that his office has attempted to arrange a meeting with billionaire Citadel CEO Ken Griffin following the backlash from a viral video. The hedge fund executive previously criticized the mayor's production, which targeted his assets with a new tax proposal. Mamdani confirmed that a member of his staff contacted Griffin, yet no response has been received to date.

"We reached out to set up a meeting," Mamdani explained during a press briefing. "We're still waiting to hear." He characterized the outreach as an open invitation extended to numerous business leaders across the metropolitan area. The mayor emphasized his intent to listen and engage in dialogue that transcends areas of agreement to include honest critique without preconditions.

This diplomatic effort follows a video released on April 15 where the mayor highlighted Griffin's residence to promote a new tax on pied-à-terre properties. In the footage, Mamdani stood outside Griffin's 24,000-square-foot penthouse, noting it was purchased in 2019 for $238 million. This transaction represented the most expensive residential sale in United States history at the time. Griffin later dismissed the production as a "creepy and weird" political advertisement.

A spokesperson for Citadel declined to comment on whether Griffin plans to meet with the mayor, though they addressed the policy controversy directly. "Ken cares deeply about New York City and welcomes thoughtful, serious conversations about the policies that can grow the city's economy," the statement read. The representative argued that reckless political theater serves no purpose and undermines the future of one of the world's most important financial hubs.

In the April video, Mamdani used Griffin's penthouse to illustrate what he termed a fundamentally unfair system. He described it as an annual fee on luxury properties worth more than $5 million whose owners do not live full-time in the city. "This is an annual fee on luxury properties worth more than $5 million," Mamdani stated, specifically citing the hedge fund CEO's acquisition.

Speaking at the Milken Conference in Los Angeles earlier this month, Griffin argued that the mayor's frightening video reaffirmed his decision to double down on business in Miami. "Mamdani has made it very clear—New York does not welcome success," Griffin told the panel. He reiterated Citadel's plans to expand its presence in Florida while constructing a new headquarters in the Sunshine State.

The mayor's office previously told Fox News Digital that Mamdani wants all New Yorkers to succeed, including Griffin, whom they described as a major employer. However, the administration maintained that the current tax system rewards extreme wealth while pushing working people to the brink. "The status quo is unsustainable and unjust," the statement continued. They insisted that meaningful tax reform requires the wealthiest New Yorkers to contribute their fair share for the city to become affordable for workers.