Chris Christie Slams NYC Mayor Mamdani Over Snowstorm Cleanup

Former NJ governor criticizes Mamdani's handling of snow and garbage removal after major winter storm.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's response to a major snowstorm that hit the city in late January, saying Mamdani did a poor job of cleaning up snow and garbage. Christie said the area around Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, was pristine while the rest of the city was still dealing with piled up snow and trash.

Why it matters

Mamdani's handling of the snowstorm cleanup has drawn criticism, with some residents complaining about piles of snow and garbage lingering for weeks after the storm. As a new mayor, Mamdani's response to this crisis could impact public perception of his leadership and ability to manage emergencies.

The details

During an appearance on 'Real Time with Bill Maher', Christie gave Mamdani a 'C' grade for his handling of the snowstorm, saying the mayor 'seemed to move a bunch of the snow but couldn't figure out how to do anything else.' Christie claimed the area around Gracie Mansion, where the mayor lives, was pristine with no snow or garbage, while the rest of the city was still dealing with piled up debris. Mamdani had addressed the snow cleanup issues at a press conference on February 2, nearly two weeks after the storm, citing the continued cold temperatures as a factor slowing the process.

  • The major snowstorm hit New York City during the weekend of January 25, 2026.
  • Mamdani addressed the snow pileup at a press conference on February 2, 2026, nearly two weeks after the storm.

The players

Chris Christie

Former governor of New Jersey who criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's handling of the snowstorm cleanup.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City who has faced criticism over his response to the major snowstorm that hit the city.

Bill Maher

Host of the HBO show 'Real Time with Bill Maher', where Christie appeared and criticized Mamdani.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I'd give him a C, because he seemed to move a bunch of the snow but couldn't figure out how to do anything else when that was going on. He didn't pick up the garbage. All my kids live in New York City. I've been there since the snowstorm. The garbage is piled up everywhere. But you know the one place that is pristine where the garbage is gone and the snow—there's no ice even on the sidewalk? In front of Gracie Mansion.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“It's like, 'socialist, schmocialist, take care of my thing first.'”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“Typically, after snowfall of any kinds, rising temperatures would assist in the melting of that snow. Instead, what we are all experiencing is a cold that is continuing at a record pace, frankly. And what that has meant is that the entirety of the city's response is up to the city workers themselves. And they have been doing an incredible job. However, it is a job that must continue, and it is also a job that has required us to go beyond the typical.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Press Conference)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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