New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to return energy “to the individuals” when he took workplace. However simply days later, he reportedly held a non-public assembly with one of many world’s wealthiest filmmakers.
The New York Occasions reported that on Monday, Mamdani paid a home name to Steven Spielberg’s Central Park West condo. The assembly didn’t seem on the mayor’s public schedule however was later confirmed to the Occasions by Spielberg’s spokeswoman and Metropolis Corridor.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, campaigned on limiting the affect of the rich and specializing in on a regular basis New Yorkers.
The Occasions famous, “Regardless of predictions from Mr. Mamdani’s critics that his election would drive rich individuals out of the town, Mr. Spielberg, a billionaire, turned an official resident of New York on the identical day the mayor was inaugurated, the 2 individuals stated.”
“We are going to reply to all New Yorkers, to not any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they will purchase our democracy,” Mamdani stated on New Yr’s Day after being sworn in by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Spielberg is understood for blockbuster movies reminiscent of “Jaws,” “E.T. the Additional-Terrestrial” and “Saving Personal Ryan,” amongst others.
He’s additionally a longtime Democratic Get together donor. Sources advised the Occasions the assembly lasted about an hour, had no set agenda, and was not publicly disclosed.
Mamdani’s predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams, had confronted scrutiny for his after-hours habits, together with attending nightclubs and eating places.
When requested about Adams’ habits, Mamdani stated he wouldn’t be seen on the identical nightclub as his predecessor and as a substitute can be a “mayor who visits nurses and hospitals after the solar has set, who speaks to E.M.S. staff and bus operators working the late shifts.”
Whereas New York Metropolis mayors routinely meet with distinguished figures, the personal nature of this go to has drawn consideration due to Mamdani’s marketing campaign picture as an outsider to elite circles.
