The billionaire tycoons maintain the dispute with the mayor. Steve Roth, CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, believes that the ultra-rich should be “praised and thanked” and assures that taxes on large holders are similar to racist insults, in statements collected by . The billionaire thus responds to the proposal of the mayor of New York City to raise taxes on the rich in the city.
“I must say that I consider the phrase tax the rich when uttered with political anger and contempt both here and throughout the country, to be as hateful as some disgusting racial insults, and even the phrase ‘from the river to the sea,'” says the magnate, referring, in this case to the controversial shout used by in his demonstrations.
Likewise, Roth criticizes a recent video by Mamdani, published on his own social networks, in which he used the second residence of Ken Griffinanother real estate magnate in the city, like “irresponsible and dangerous.”
GriffinCEO of the real estate company Citadel, was offended by the video and, according to The Wall Street Journalits chief operating officer proposed that the company pause its $6 billion plan to develop an office tower in the center of Manhattan Island.
At the moment, the Big Apple City Council has not immediately responded to these statements. As the publication states, Mamdani pitched himself to corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers, but Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has resisted that push. However, it has approved the tax on second homes with values over 5 million dollars.
“Political violence”
This has not been all. During a conference last Tuesday, Griffin further attacked Mamdani. He expressed, in a few words reported by the media, his concern about the published video: the mayor could provoke in this way “political violence.”
Both he and Roth ask that the “young, intelligent and energetic” president “be kinder to billionaires.” “What I ask my mayor to do is start each day by being welcoming and business-friendly as his first priority,” Roth said. “That is the only way to get the growth and the financial resources to carry out your programs, some of which, I must say, are interesting and valid.”
