New Yorkers made a bold statement on November 4, 2025, electing 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of the nation’s largest city. The Associated Press called the race just over a half-hour after polls closed, confirming Mamdani’s decisive victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo and talk show host Curtis Sliwa.
“I am here to admit something: They are right,” Mamdani declared at an October 13 rally, referring to billionaires like Bill Ackman and Ronald Lauder who poured millions into campaigns opposing him (per Forbes). Despite the high-powered opposition, Mamdani has pledged a left-wing populist platform: rent freezes in controlled apartments, free city buses, universal childcare, and higher taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations. His campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, asserted:
Billionaires are lining up behind a candidate who’s spent months chasing their approval and their dollars instead of talking to working class New Yorkers… Zohran Mamdani is practicing a politics that puts New Yorkers first—not billionaires.
Meanwhile, opponents included celebrities and former politicians publicly endorsing Cuomo, including Bill Clinton, Michael Bloomberg, Marc Anthony, and Amy Schumer.
Celebrities and Billionaires Who Opposed Zohran Mamdani: Here’s Who Wanted Him to Lose
Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral run drew unprecedented billionaire opposition and high-profile celebrity endorsements for his rivals. Here’s a table of the top billionaire opponents of Zohran Mamdani based on the details obtained by Forbes:
Celebrity Endorsements Against Mamdani:
1. Actress and comedian Amy Schumer participated in early voting in New York City and shared a post about her choice. While she did not explicitly name Cuomo, she strongly implied her support with an Instagram Story. Schumer wrote the above message with the caption, “Rhymes with Duomo,” signaling that she seemingly voted for Andrew Cuomo for Mayor. A screen grab of her post was shared online (per Just Jared).
2. Singer Marc Anthony sent a video message of support for Andrew Cuomo, which he also reposted on Instagram. Cuomo responded, saying:
A post shared by Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo)
3. Former President Bill Clinton has officially endorsed Andrew Cuomo. In a statement, he said:
New Yorkers should choose competence for a change. I am confident Andrew can turn New York around, and I know he can effectively stand up to Trump. Please remember to exercise your right and vote for Andrew Cuomo for Mayor. Thank you
4. Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed Cuomo several months ago. He said in a statement:
The question before New Yorkers is not: Who is the perfect choice? No mayor is perfect. The question is: Who is the best choice? To me, that choice is clear: Andrew Cuomo.
The financial and celebrity firepower against Mamdani underscored the ideological divide, yet voters overwhelmingly sided with his vision for a more equitable, accessible city.
Zohran Mamdani Net Worth: New York City’s Mayor-Elect Lives on Rent, Modest Earnings Explained
Unlike his billionaire-funded opposition, Zohran Mamdani brings a life of modest means to City Hall. Financial reports from The Financial Express and The New York Times estimate his net worth at roughly $200,000. His three-term state assembly reported salary of $142,000 covers a rental apartment in Astoria, Queens, which he shares with his wife, Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji, reportedly paying $2,250 a month.
Mamdani reportedly owns no car and commutes via subway and bus, symbolically mirroring his advocacy for fare-free public transit across New York City. His financial disclosures list a single notable asset: four acres of family-owned land in Jinja, Uganda, valued at $150,000–$250,000. Apart from that, his savings reportedly hover under $5,000, and he earns approximately $1,000 in royalties from his previous rap project in Uganda.
Sound off below: who do you support?
