Elon Musk criticized Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic‑Socialist candidate in the New York City mayoral race, calling him a “charismatic swindler” during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. Musk argued that Mamdani’s proposed socialist policies would cause “a catastrophic decline in living standards, not just for the rich, but for everyone.”
Mamdani has proposed sweeping policies including raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030, increasing the city’s corporate tax rate to 11.5 % to match New Jersey, eliminating bus fares, and creating publicly‑owned grocery stores operating at wholesale prices. (Musk warned that if those policies were implemented at scale, the result in New York City would mirror failed socialist experiments elsewhere. “Mamdani is a charismatic swindler,” Musk said. “I mean you gotta hand it to him… but he has just been a swindler his entire life.”
Musk’s comments follow a broader pattern of business leaders voicing concern over rising progressive influence in urban politics. Similar warnings have been issued in cities like San Francisco and Chicago, where regulatory burdens and tax hikes have driven corporate relocations and declining investment. Critics argue that Mamdani’s agenda could accelerate a comparable trend in New York City, potentially affecting job growth and middle-class stability. The intersection of political ideology and economic impact continues to shape the city’s political climate ahead of the election.
The remarks by Musk add a high‑profile critique to a campaign that is already drawing national attention. Mamdani’s surge in the polls has made the typically local mayoral race into a referendum on progressive urban governance. Musk’s warning may reinforce concerns among moderates and fiscal conservatives who question the viability of large‑scale redistribution and city‑run enterprises.
Still, supporters of Mamdani argue his program addresses pressing cost‑of‑living issues in New York City and gives voice to neighborhoods long underserved by traditional politics. Whether the critique from Musk or the momentum behind Mamdani proves decisive in the race remains to be seen.
