A super PAC supporting socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has received a $250,000 donation from billionaire heiress Elizabeth Simons, despite Mamdani’s well-documented opposition to billionaires. The donation, described as the largest received by the Mamdani-aligned New Yorkers for Lower Costs PAC this election cycle, has drawn sharp criticism for what many see as a contradiction between the candidate’s rhetoric and his actions.
Elizabeth Simons, the daughter of late billionaire hedge fund manager Jamie Simons, is known for her philanthropy and has used her family’s wealth for charitable causes. The Simons family’s net worth is estimated at over $31.4 billion, though much of this wealth has been directed toward social initiatives. However, the donation has prompted questions about the alignment between Mamdani’s stated goals and his fundraising priorities.
Mamdani, who ran on a platform of affordability and equity, has long criticized the billionaire class, particularly in the context of New York City’s high cost of living. In a June interview with NBC News, he emphasized that billionaire wealth exacerbates inequality and that the city’s economic structure is built on the backs of the working class. Yet, the recent donation has raised concerns about the feasibility of his anti-billionaire stance in practice.
His opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, seized on the donation to accuse Mamdani of hypocrisy. “Congrats to you, @ZohranKMamdani for completing the holy trinity of hypocrisy,” Cuomo wrote on X, suggesting that Mamdani’s actions contradict his public messaging. The critique has intensified the scrutiny on Mamdani’s campaign, which has often framed itself as a grassroots movement against the establishment.
The financial backing from Simons has also raised questions about the broader political dynamics at play in the mayoral race. While Mamdani has tried to position himself as a candidate representing the working class, his ability to secure significant donations from wealthy individuals challenges the narrative he has constructed. The New Yorkers for Lower Costs PAC, which operates independently of the campaign, has not commented on the donation but has been a consistent supporter of Mamdani’s platform.
The incident has sparked wider debates about the role of wealth in politics and the practicality of political stances that reject big money. Critics argue that the donation undermines Mamdani’s message, while supporters maintain that the PAC’s role is to raise funds to support the candidate’s vision for New York City.