Ken Griffin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel, speaks during the America Business Forum at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, U.S. November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello
(New York, NY) – Billionaire Ken Griffin says he is just about ready to leave the concrete jungle behind after being called out directly in a video posted by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The Democratic Socialist mayor used a penthouse owned by Griffin as the backdrop for his video announcing a pied-à-terre tax. It would be a new levy on second homes valued over $5 million when the owner’s primary residence is outside the five boroughs.
Griffin is the CEO of Citadel. In an internal memo obtained by several outlets, the COO of the firm is slamming Mamdani for showing “ignorance and disdain” towards big players in the city’s economy. Gerald Beeson said it was “shameful” that Mamdani insinuated Griffin financially overburdened the city but instead put the blame on the city’s “wasteful spending”. Going even further, Beeson put in a subtle threat to Gracie Mansion pointing to a Park Ave redevelopment project. Boasting about the jobs and spending the project would bring, the memo left room for Citadel to pull out of the plan stating “if we move forward”.
Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary said the mayor put Griffin’s personal safety at risk with his social media video. Mr. Wonderful said this is not a good look for the young mayor as New York State lawmakers continue to hash out the budget, which was originally due on April 1st.
