Socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is drawing sharp criticism online after celebrating New York’s incoming pied-à-terre tax, a levy aimed at residents who own certain high-value second homes in the city.
“If you have a second home in New York City worth more than $5 million, check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs — because you’ve got mail,” Mamdani wrote on X, promoting the tax backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and supported by Mamdani as it moves closer to taking effect.
“Today, we sent notification letters to property owners, letting them know that our new pied-à-terre tax is coming soon,” Mamdani added. “The best city in the world deserves the best parks, libraries, and schools in the world. That’s only possible when we all pay our fair share.”
By Friday morning, the post had surpassed 10 million views, fueling a wave of backlash from conservatives who argued the measure could accelerate the departure of wealthy New Yorkers from the city.
“Never elect a politician who: (1) sees your money as his slush fund, (2) loves Karl Marx, or (3) uses French words like ‘pied-à-terre’ to disguise new, confiscatory taxes he wants to impose to redistribute wealth,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X.
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., also weighed in, writing on X: “Socialism – Florida’s best real estate agent.”
GOP strategist and attorney Mehek Cooke claimed the policy is already rattling the real estate market. “NYC’s pied-à-terre tax hasn’t even started and brokers already say owners are calling to sell,” she posted on X. “Empty units don’t tip [doormen] or pay supers. You’re not taxing the rich. You’re firing the working class that depended on them.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton called the announcement “More incitement,” writing on X: “Communist @NYCMayor celebrates a confiscatory tax targeted at a select few.”
“What will the excuse be when literally nothing improves after all these tax increases?” New York City Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino posted on X. “Will they just demand even more, or will they tell us to ignore our own eyes as they insist they’ve actually fixed everything? Both? “
“The condescension towards the people who already pay a ton of property taxes to NYC,” Washington Free Beacon investigative reporter Chuck Ross posted on X. “He thinks you’re an immoral person and worthy of mockery if you have a second home. ‘when you’re back in the five boroughs.’”
“That’s only possible when we all pay our fair share,’ says the man who’s literally lived off of taxpayer dollars for years, produces nothing, and is concentrating the burdens on others—others who’ve contributed exponentially more to the city in both taxes and charitable contributions than he could possibly hope to contribute in 10 lifetimes, I might add,” Manhattan Institute fellow Rafael Mangual posted on X.
“You can practically feel the glee emanating from this tweet so it’s hilarious that people will still refuse to admit he’s a full-blown communist,” civil rights attorney David Pivtorak posted on X.
Mamdani’s support of the pied-à-terre tax on second homes worth more than $5 million has been a viral controversy for months and started when
In April, New York City Mayor Mamdani and Hochul unveiled the joint legislative proposal targeting luxury second homes worth $5 million or more. Known as a pied-à-terre tax, the annual surcharge is expected to generate an estimated $500 million from affluent out-of-state property owners.
Mamdani has previously said revenue from the tax would go toward initiatives such as free childcare, cleaner streets and safer neighborhoods.
Critics, including billionaire Ken Griffin, whose luxury New York City home was featured in Mamdani’s controversial video announcing the tax, argue the tax will only drive more wealthy New Yorkers out of the state and bring jobs and investments with them.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.
