Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
(New York, NY) – As the beef between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and billionaire businessman Ken Griffin continues to play out in the headlines, one state is reaping the benefits. Florida is cashing out on the Big Apple looking to squeeze out more cash from top earners with the new pied-a-terre tax.
Speaking on Fox News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis boasted the Citadel CEO did not just move business operations down to the Sunshine State, but he has even invested in local philanthropic efforts. DeSantis said “he’s [Griffin] probably given hundreds of millions of dollars, probably more and they moved the philanthropy down to Florida”. He went on to say he sees the billionaire give “50 million a week to something down in Florida”. The governor did not go into specifics, but said Florida policy is bringing in wealthy residents.
Meanwhile back in New York, Griffin is expected to meet with Governor Kathy Hochul to hammer out issues with Mamdani after the Democratic Socialist posted a video calling out Griffin by name.
Happy Tax Day, New York. We’re taxing the rich. pic.twitter.com/Wky2LFXC9W
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 15, 2026
No details on when the meeting between Griffin and Hochul will take place.
