Trump Slams NYC Mayor Over Pied-à-Terre Tax Proposal

Mayor Mamdani brushes off the former president's social media attack over the new tax targeting luxury second homes.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:24pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary high-rise apartment window overlooking the New York City skyline at night, with warm interior lighting casting long shadows across the facade, conceptually representing the political tensions over a new tax targeting luxury second homes.The pied-à-terre tax proposal casts a long shadow over the luxury second homes of New York's elite.NYC Today

Former President Donald Trump lashed out on social media against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over a proposed pied-à-terre tax that would target luxury second homes worth more than $5 million. Mamdani, who has policy differences with Trump, said he is not surprised by the attack and remains committed to taxing the rich.

Why it matters

The pied-à-terre tax is part of Mayor Mamdani's efforts to raise revenue and address income inequality in New York City. Trump, who owns a multimillion-dollar penthouse in Trump Tower that would likely be subject to the tax, has criticized the proposal, highlighting the political tensions between the Democratic mayor and the former Republican president.

The details

On Thursday, one day after the pied-à-terre tax was unveiled, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Mamdani, saying the mayor is "DESTROYING New York!" and that the city "has no chance!" Trump argued the "TAX, TAX, TAX Policies are SO WRONG" and that "People are fleeing." At a press conference, Mamdani appeared unfazed by the attack, stating he is "deeply supportive of taxing the rich" and that the policy disagreement is "just a bump in the road" in their relationship.

  • On April 16, 2026, the pied-à-terre tax proposal was unveiled.
  • On April 17, 2026, Trump criticized the proposal on Truth Social.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City who proposed the pied-à-terre tax to target luxury second homes.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who owns a multimillion-dollar penthouse in Trump Tower, a second home that would likely be subject to the proposed pied-à-terre tax.

Julie Menin

The New York City Council Speaker who supports the pied-à-terre tax.

Morris Pearl

The head of the tax-the-rich group The Patriotic Millionaires, who believes Trump should pay the pied-à-terre tax like everyone else.

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What they’re saying

“Sadly, Mayor Mamdani is DESTROYING New York! It has no chance! The United States of America should not contribute to its failure. It will only get WORSE. The TAX, TAX, TAX Policies are SO WRONG. People are fleeing. They must change their ways, AND FAST. History has proven, THIS 'STUFF' JUST DOESN'T WORK.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“I've made it clear to the president and to the public that I am deeply supportive of taxing the rich, and taxing non-resident secondary homes worth more than $5 million falls right within that.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor

“Everyone has to pay that who qualifies in that. It's about 13,000 homes that will be affected by the pied-à-terre tax. Again, it's for people who have this second home. They're not living in New York City, but they purchased a home in excess of $5 million.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker

“I think he should pay the tax the same way as everyone else, sure.”

— Morris Pearl, Head of The Patriotic Millionaires

What’s next

The New York City Council will need to vote on and approve the pied-à-terre tax proposal before it can be implemented.

The takeaway

The clash between Mayor Mamdani and former President Trump over the pied-à-terre tax highlights the ongoing political tensions and policy disagreements between progressive city leaders and conservative national figures. The tax proposal is part of Mamdani's efforts to address income inequality, but faces opposition from wealthy property owners like Trump who would be affected.