Hedge fund founder hits back at Mamdani's 'creepy' wealth tax video

Hedge fund founder hits back at Mamdani's 'creepy' wealth tax videoJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleArchie MitchellBusiness reporterGetty ImagesKen Griffin said Mamdani's video was 'creepy' A war of words has erupted between Zohran Mamdani and billionaire Ken Griffin over the New York mayor's vow to "tax the rich".The founder and chief executive of hedge fund Citadel, who also owns America's most expensive apartment, said Mamdani was "making it really clear: New York doesn't welcome success".Griffin said he would "double down" focusing on Miami to grow his business interests rather than Manhattan.Mamdani filmed a video in April outside Griffin's New York penthouse to promote a new tax on luxury properties in the city.Speaking on Tuesday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, Griffin said Mamdani's video was "creepy and weird".And he warned it posed security risks, pointing to the fatal shooting nearby of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson."Anything that creates, like an agitation, in the extremist on either side of the aisle is a frightening dynamic," Griffin said. Wins and challenges: Zohran Mamdani's first 100 days in officeFour challenges facing New York City Mayor Mamdani In a response issued to the Wall Street Journal later that day, Mamdani's press secretary Joe Calvello said the mayor wants all New Yorkers to succeed, praising the business owners and entrepreneurs who "make this city the economic engine of America"."It also includes Ken Griffin, who is a major employer in our city and a powerful figure in our economy," Calvello said.He added: "That does not negate the fact, however, that our tax system is fundamentally broken."In Mamdani's video, posted to coincide with tax day, he said: "When I ran for mayor, I said I was going to tax the rich. Well,...