Rapper 50 Cent, known by his stage name, responded to New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s tax plan after learning about it from a podcast interview. Mamdani, who is running for mayor, outlined his plan to increase corporate taxes to pay for initiatives aimed at ‘Trump-proofing’ the city. He also proposed a 2% tax increase on the top 1% of New Yorkers, which prompted a strong reaction from 50 Cent. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, took to Instagram to voice his discontent, offering to pay for Mamdani to leave the city. This exchange has sparked a broader conversation about economic policies and political alliances in the mayoral race.
Mamdani’s plan, which was discussed in an interview on the ‘Breakfast Club’ podcast on June 11, included a proposal to raise corporate taxes and target high earners, aiming to fund projects that would improve New York City’s infrastructure and services. During the interview, Mamdani stated that the tax increase on top earners would be a ’rounding error’ and emphasized that the overall plan would benefit all New Yorkers. However, this rhetoric did not resonate with 50 Cent, who has a history of vocal opposition to certain taxation policies.
50 Cent, who famously endorsed former President Donald Trump in 2020 due to disagreements with former President Joe Biden’s tax policies, took to Instagram to express his discontent with Mamdani’s plan. He offered to pay for Mamdani’s departure from the city, stating, ‘Iām not feeling this plan. No. I will give him $258,750 and a first class one-way ticket away from NY.’ This outburst highlights the political tensions within New York City’s mayoral race, where economic policies are a central issue.
While the incident underscores the personal connections and public reactions to economic proposals, it also reflects the broader debate over taxation and economic management in urban governance. Mamdani’s approach, which emphasizes higher taxes on corporations and high earners, contrasts with the preferences of some prominent figures, including 50 Cent, who have expressed concerns over such policies. The situation illustrates the diverse political landscape and the potential for public figures to influence the discourse on fiscal policies.