New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani surprised many when he admitted he agrees with tech billionaire Elon Musk on at least one major issue — the need to improve government efficiency and reduce waste.
At the Crain’s New York Business Mayoral Forum held on October 8, the Democratic Socialist candidate addressed the city’s business community, acknowledging that concerns about bureaucracy, mismanagement, and waste shouldn’t be dismissed as right-wing talking points.
“We’ve allowed someone like Elon Musk to make it seem as if the concerns of fraud and efficiency and waste — even quality of life — are somehow right-wing issues,” Mamdani said. “These should be at the heart of any politics for working-class people.”
An Unexpected Agreement Between Political Opposites
On the surface, Mamdani and Musk couldn’t be more different. The Astoria assemblyman has openly said that “billionaires should not exist,” while Musk — the world’s richest man and the first person to surpass $500 billion in net worth — is a vocal critic of socialism. After Mamdani’s primary win in June, Musk even mocked him with a laughing emoji on X (formerly Twitter).
Still, Mamdani acknowledged that New Yorkers’ frustrations with slow, inefficient government systems — from public transit to housing — have eroded trust in politics. He argued that streamlining operations and cutting waste should be central to rebuilding that trust.
Interestingly, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative has been similarly focused on cutting bureaucratic waste, though it has drawn backlash from Democrats and progressives for targeting government workers and programs.
Reaching Out to the Business Community
Despite being known for his progressive stance, Mamdani made a concerted effort to appeal to New York’s business leaders at the forum. He emphasized that the public and private sectors must work together to strengthen the city’s economy, improve hiring pipelines, and make it easier for entrepreneurs to start new businesses.
He even quoted Jeff Bezos during his remarks, underscoring the importance of innovation and smart management — a notable gesture from a self-described Democratic Socialist.
“We need a city where companies can attract top talent and thrive,” Mamdani said, adding that reforming excessive regulation could stimulate job growth without compromising workers’ rights.
However, Mamdani also reaffirmed his commitment to progressive taxation and property tax reform, referencing Citadel founder Ken Griffin’s $238 million Manhattan apartment as an example of inequality in the city.
Responding to Trump’s Threats Against New York City
Mamdani addressed recent threats by former President Donald Trump to withhold federal funding from New York City if he wins the upcoming election. The candidate called the threats “political retribution” and vowed to fight back using all available legal channels.
“If that happens, we’ll interrogate the legality of it and use every tool available — from the attorney general’s office to the governor’s office,” Mamdani said.
With Mayor Eric Adams dropping out of the race last month, Mamdani’s path to City Hall appears clearer than ever. Despite former Governor Andrew Cuomo re-entering the race, Mamdani still holds a commanding lead in the polls and is widely expected to win on November 4.
