Griffin calls NYC Mayor Mamdani’s tribute to rich video ‘scary and weird’

Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin described the video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani “taxing the rich” targeting him as a “scary and weird” political ad.

Speaking at the Milken conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Griffin said Mamdani’s “horrifying” video has confirmed his decision to “double down” on the business in Miami.

“Mamdani made it clear – New York does not accept success,” said Griffin during the meeting.

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On April 15, Mamdani posted a video highlighting Griffin’s property while announcing the new pied-à-terre tax.

The video shows Mamdani—who is committed to raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers—standing outside Griffin’s 24,000-square foot property. Griffin bought this home in 2019 for $238 million, which is the most expensive place to live in US history.

“This is the annual fee for luxury homes worth more than $5 million whose owners do not live full time in the city – like this facility, which hedge fund executive Ken Griffin bought for $238 million,” said Mamdani when he announced the proposal.

After the video, Citadel COO Gerald Beeson suggested that plans for the firm’s skyline project at 350 Park Avenue could be reconsidered.

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The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has criticized billionaires, including Ken Griffin, whom he recently thanked for supporting the police. (Photos by Spencer Platt/Getty/Getty Images)

“We are about to restart the redevelopment of 350 Park Avenue, creating 6,000 high-paying construction jobs and supporting more than 15,000 permanent jobs in Midtown New York,” Beeson wrote in an April 23 memo to employees.

“This project—if we move forward—will involve spending more than six billion dollars,” he added.

Griffin said Tuesday that the project’s future remains a “point of discussion” for the company.

Mayor Mamdani’s office did not immediately return Fox Business’ request for comment.

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Citadel is currently building a new headquarters in Miami. Griffin told the Milken audience that the tower’s design is being revised to “make it bigger,” adding that Florida’s leadership has shown strong support for pro-business policies.

Griffin, who founded Citadel and Citadel Securities, previously moved both firms from Chicago to Miami following the COVID-19 pandemic. He is constantly critical of the leadership in Chicago and the wider state of Illinois.

Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin called a viral video of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani singing in her Manhattan basement while announcing the new tax a “personal attack” and a “deep lack of judgment.” (Denis Balibouse/Reuters/Reuters)

On Tuesday, Griffin said his altercation with Mamdani was “causing trauma” for him in Chicago.

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With an estimated net worth of $51 billion, Griffin is ranked among the 35 richest people in the world. He also said Mamdani’s video showed a “deep lack of judgment.”

Speaking at Norges Bank Investment Management’s 2026 Investment Conference in Oslo, Griffin criticized what he described as the “demonization” of business leaders.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park on April 27, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images)

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“What upsets me is the personal attacks,” Griffin said. “You were at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, where they tried to kill the president. Not far from where I live in New York is where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed.”

FOX Business’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.