Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after asking supporters to fund his transition team, just one day after winning on promises of “free buses” and rent freezes aimed at tackling the city’s affordability issues.

Mamdani, a self-described socialist, campaigned on proposals to tax wealthy New Yorkers in order to fund public transportation and housing initiatives.

His platform focused heavily on what he called “affordability justice,” pledging to make the city livable again for middle- and lower-income residents through government-backed subsidies.

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During his campaign, Mamdani told voters he would “freeze rents” and “make public transit free for everyone.”

His message resonated with progressive voters, particularly young and college-educated residents, who saw his platform as a direct challenge to what he called “corporate-driven politics.”

However, the feasibility of his promises immediately drew skepticism from housing and transit experts.

Critics argued that rent freezes historically lead to reduced housing maintenance, creating unsafe living conditions for tenants, while free public transit systems often face significant funding shortfalls and operational issues.

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The debate over Mamdani’s proposals intensified after his post-election announcement asking New Yorkers to donate money for his transition.

He cited staffing and operational expenses as the reason for seeking additional funds.

“Those are things we will have to provide,” Mamdani said, referring to the resources needed for his transition.

“I’m excited for the fact that it will be funded by the very people who brought us to this point, the working people who have been left behind by the politics of this city.”

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Mamdani explained that his transition would “require staff, it will require research, it will require infrastructure,” and expressed optimism that grassroots donors would continue to support him financially.

The appeal sparked backlash across social media and among political observers, who called the move contradictory to his campaign message.

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Critics noted that Mamdani’s promise to fund city improvements by “taxing the rich” was inconsistent with his request for contributions from ordinary working people.

Mamdani’s campaign previously claimed to have paused donations before the election, emphasizing that his movement was not driven by money but by community involvement. His renewed fundraising push, however, quickly drew accusations of hypocrisy.

The controversy has raised broader questions about how Mamdani plans to pay for his ambitious proposals.

Analysts estimate that providing free public buses in New York City could cost hundreds of millions of dollars annually, while freezing rent would likely require large-scale subsidies to property owners to prevent mass property neglect.

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While Mamdani’s supporters maintain that his ideas represent a bold new direction for the city, others argue that they are unsustainable and could worsen New York’s fiscal challenges.

Some residents have voiced frustration over his focus on symbolic gestures rather than practical solutions to affordability and public safety.

Political analysts also noted that Mamdani’s support was strongest among younger, college-educated voters.

Exit polling indicated that non-college-educated voters largely rejected his platform, expressing concerns about higher taxes and declining public services.

As Mamdani begins his transition, questions remain about whether his proposals can be implemented without significant tax hikes or new city debt.

His call for “working people” to fund his transition has fueled ongoing skepticism about whether his vision of a city built on “free services” can withstand economic reality.

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For now, Mamdani insists that his movement remains driven by the same grassroots supporters who helped him win office.

But for many New Yorkers, his early appeal for donations is serving as a first test of how his promises of “free” programs will actually play out in practice.

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