New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani sparked both praise and criticism after asking working-class supporters to help “fund his movement” following his victory. The Queens lawmaker, a self-described socialist, ran on promises of free public transit, a rent freeze, and more social housing—plans aimed at making the city more affordable.

Soon after winning, his team sent fundraising emails warning of “resistance from billionaires and landlords,” which some saw as contradicting his pledge to ease burdens on workers. Critics called it an example of “lofty rhetoric meeting fiscal reality.”

Economists warned that free transit could deepen the MTA’s budget crisis and that rent freezes might “discourage investment and reduce housing quality.” They questioned how his proposals would be funded without harming the city’s recovery.

Supporters argued that Mamdani’s appeal wasn’t about money but “collective action.” Small donations, they said, represented shared responsibility and a challenge to corporate power.

At the heart of his plan is a municipal wealth tax on the city’s richest residents and corporations—a policy requiring state approval. Despite skepticism, many say Mamdani’s win has reignited debate about affordability, fairness, and the future of progressive leadership in New York City.