Big Apple real estate tycoon Steve Roth compared Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “tax the rich” rallying cry to racial slurs — as he ripped the socialist’s vendetta against the ultra-rich as “irresponsible and dangerous.”
The Vornado Realty Trust chairman tore into Hizzoner during an earnings call on Tuesday as Mamdani forged ahead with his push to stick it to the rich.
“I must say that I consider the phrase tax the rich — quote ‘tax the rich’ — when spit out with anger and contempt by politicians both here and across the country, to be just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs, and even the phrase ‘from the river to the sea,’” Roth said, referencing the anti-Israel rallying cry spewed at Palestinian protests.
Roth argued Mamdani’s attack on the rich had made them targets — when they should actually be “praised and thanked” for keeping the city afloat.
“The rich whom the politicians are targeting, starting with nothing, are the epitome of the American dream,” he said.
“They are our largest employers and largest philanthropists, and it is the 1% that makes 50% of New York’s income taxes. They are at the top of the great American economic pyramid for a reason. They should be praised and thanked.”
The real estate titan lashed out after Mamdani used billionaire bigwig Ken Griffin’s $238 million Midtown penthouse as a backdrop in a recent social media video to drum up support for his proposed tax hike on luxury second homes in the city.
“We are all shocked that our young mayor would pull this stunt in front of Ken’s home and single him out for ridicule,” Roth said on the earnings call.
“This was both irresponsible and dangerous.”
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