Key Takeaways
- • NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani initiated outreach to Citadel CEO Ken Griffin approximately one month after posting a viral "tax-the-rich" video on April 15, 2026, outside Griffin's $238 million Manhattan penthouse, but has not received a response as of mid-May 2026.
- • Griffin publicly criticized Mamdani's video as "creepy and weird," characterizing it as a frightening political advertisement that reinforced his decision to expand business operations in Miami rather than remain engaged with New York City leadership.
- • Mamdani's team formally requested a meeting with Griffin to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement, framing the outreach as part of broader engagement with business leaders across the city; Mamdani stated willingness to listen to "honest reflection and critique" without preconditions.
- • The $238 million penthouse, purchased by Griffin in 2019, represents the most expensive residential property sale in U.S. history and served as the focal point of Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax proposal targeting wealthy New York residents.
- • As of May 16, 2026, Griffin's office has not publicly addressed whether the Citadel CEO intends to respond to or meet with the mayor, leaving the status of engagement unresolved.
Summary
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed on Friday, May 16, 2026, that he has attempted to establish a meeting with billionaire Citadel CEO Ken Griffin following a contentious exchange initiated by a viral tax policy video. On April 15 (Tax Day), Mamdani posted a video outside Griffin's Manhattan penthouse to promote a new pied-à-terre tax targeting wealthy New Yorkers. The property in question—a 24,000-square-foot penthouse Griffin acquired in 2019 for $238 million—holds the distinction of being the most expensive residential sale in U.S. history.
Griffin responded sharply to the video, labeling it "creepy and weird" and describing it as frightening political advertising. The Citadel CEO subsequently indicated that the incident reinforced his commitment to shifting business operations toward Miami, signaling a potential relocation of corporate focus away from New York.
In an effort to mend relations, Mamdani's team reached out to Griffin's office to schedule a meeting. "We reached out to set up a meeting. We're still waiting to hear," Mamdani stated Friday, one month after the initial video. The mayor characterized the invitation as an open and ongoing offer, noting it aligns with his broader engagement strategy with business leaders across the city. Mamdani emphasized his openness to dialogue beyond areas of mutual agreement, stating he is "there to listen and there to have a conversation that goes beyond places of agreement, but perhaps places of disagreement to hear honest reflection and critique, without putting any precondition on the nature of that conversation."
As of mid-May 2026, Griffin's office has not publicly confirmed whether the hedge fund executive intends to accept the mayor's invitation or respond to the outreach. The lack of response represents a notable gap in engagement between the mayor's office and a prominent figure in the financial sector, raising questions about potential broader tensions between New York City's political leadership and the wealth management community.
Griffin responded sharply to the video, labeling it "creepy and weird" and describing it as frightening political advertising. The Citadel CEO subsequently indicated that the incident reinforced his commitment to shifting business operations toward Miami, signaling a potential relocation of corporate focus away from New York.
In an effort to mend relations, Mamdani's team reached out to Griffin's office to schedule a meeting. "We reached out to set up a meeting. We're still waiting to hear," Mamdani stated Friday, one month after the initial video. The mayor characterized the invitation as an open and ongoing offer, noting it aligns with his broader engagement strategy with business leaders across the city. Mamdani emphasized his openness to dialogue beyond areas of mutual agreement, stating he is "there to listen and there to have a conversation that goes beyond places of agreement, but perhaps places of disagreement to hear honest reflection and critique, without putting any precondition on the nature of that conversation."
As of mid-May 2026, Griffin's office has not publicly confirmed whether the hedge fund executive intends to accept the mayor's invitation or respond to the outreach. The lack of response represents a notable gap in engagement between the mayor's office and a prominent figure in the financial sector, raising questions about potential broader tensions between New York City's political leadership and the wealth management community.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.