Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel hedge fund, is preparing to leave New York City after Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani filmed a tax announcement directly outside Griffin’s penthouse, calling him out by name and disclosing his property value in what the billionaire described as a frightening public threat.
Mayor Films Outside Billionaire’s Home
On April 15, Mamdani posted a video announcing a new tax on luxury second homes while standing in front of the building housing Griffin’s penthouse. The mayor named Griffin specifically and revealed what he paid for his apartment. Griffin told moderators at the Milken Global Conference the video went from creepy to frightening. He noted the CEO of United Healthcare was killed blocks from his residence, making anything that agitates extremists genuinely dangerous.
“This has gotten frightening. The CEO of United Health was killed a few blocks from my house,” Griffin
Griffin’s Massive NYC Contributions Ignored
The mayor failed to mention Griffin’s extraordinary generosity to New York City. Griffin and David Geffen donated $400 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer center in 2023, the largest single donation the institution ever received. He has given $40 million to the Museum of Modern Art, $40 million to the Museum of Natural History, and $15 million to the Robin Hood Foundation. His total gifts to city institutions reach approximately $600 million, with lifetime charitable donations exceeding $2.5 billion nationwide.
Jobs and Economic Impact at Risk
Griffin’s companies, Citadel and Citadel Securities, employ roughly 5,000 people in New York. His firm is currently constructing Midtown’s tallest skyscraper on Park Avenue, a project that brings construction jobs and economic activity. Griffin referenced surviving three assassination attempts against President Trump, expressing understanding of the psychological toll of constant threats. The billionaire’s potential departure would mean thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue leaving the city.
Socialist Mayor Targets Wealthy Benefactors
Mamdani’s approach represents a shift in how progressive mayors treat major philanthropists and employers. Rather than acknowledging contributions, the mayor used Griffin as a political target to promote wealth redistribution policies. The incident raises questions about whether businesses and wealthy individuals will continue investing in cities where mayors publicly single them out for criticism. Griffin’s case demonstrates how anti-business rhetoric can backfire when it drives job creators to relocate operations to more welcoming jurisdictions.
Shame on the New York City residents for electing a socialist mayor. Now they must face the result of their stupidity.
First of all, who the heck voted for this man? He is dangerous, and his agenda will bankrupt the City of New York. Socialism is a no-win situation. When all of the rich people who keep New York City alive are gone, there will only be the voters left to tax.
Born and raised in Manhattan and I wouldn’t return for all the money in the world. Look who you elected Mayor? Clearly a socialiast or more who has no common sense. Keep chasing out the rich and you will have a city who won’t have any money for goods or services. The federal government should not be forced to bail NC out bwecause of stupid decisions by those in power.
Really dumb electing this A-hole as major.