On October 8, 2025, during a forum organized by Crain’s New York Business, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani articulated a vision of governance rooted in pragmatic efficiency and public accountability—ideals he surprisingly linked to those often championed by entrepreneur Elon Musk. Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist who has consistently criticized the extreme concentration of wealth and advocated for socioeconomic equity, conceded that Musk’s emphasis on minimizing waste and maximizing operational efficiency speaks to a fundamental civic necessity. According to Mamdani, the pervasive issues of bureaucratic inefficiency, administrative waste, and declining quality of life have too frequently been mischaracterized as priorities exclusive to conservative or business-oriented politics, when, in fact, they should lie at the very core of policies intended to serve working-class populations.
The event, dedicated to engaging the city’s business community, provided Mamdani with an opportunity to bridge ideological divides and to demonstrate that effective governance can transcend partisanship. Despite his well-known critiques of billionaire influence—he has openly declared that the existence of billionaires is incompatible with a just society—Mamdani acknowledged that Musk’s focus on efficient systems captures a truth that resonates deeply with frustrated New Yorkers. Many residents, he said, have grown weary of sluggish agencies and outdated public services, particularly in sectors such as transportation, where inefficiencies have eroded public confidence for decades. His remarks pointed out that even initiatives like Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency, though derided by progressives, highlight an urgent need to modernize how governments manage resources and deliver essential services.
While addressing the assembled executives, Mamdani emphasized the necessity of collaboration between the public and private sectors. He underscored that a prosperous city depends on a balance between social welfare and economic vitality—a view that seeks to harmonize compassion with competitiveness. He expressed his desire to make New York City a place where top professionals are eager to work and invest, while also ensuring that bureaucratic barriers to entrepreneurship are carefully revised. In a notable rhetorical gesture aimed at his audience, Mamdani even cited a statement from billionaire Jeff Bezos, illustrating his willingness to learn from multiple schools of thought, provided they contribute to the city’s betterment.
Nevertheless, Mamdani remained steadfast in his progressive commitments. He reiterated his support for comprehensive property tax reform, drawing public attention to the striking disparity symbolized by Citadel founder Ken Griffin’s $238 million Manhattan residence. To Mamdani, such examples exemplify why structural changes are needed to ensure fairness in the city’s fiscal policies. His message suggested that prosperity built on justice and accountability benefits all residents, not only the wealthy elite.
The assemblyman also addressed a national-level issue with direct implications for New York City: former President Donald Trump’s recent warning that he would cut off federal funding to the city if re-elected. Mamdani characterized this threat as an act of “political retribution,” arguing that punitive measures of this nature undermine democratic principles and the spirit of cooperative federalism. Should he become mayor, he promised to investigate every legal avenue to counter such actions, indicating his intent to mobilize the city’s attorney general and governor’s offices, along with all available institutional tools, to protect New York’s autonomy and financial stability.
The broader political landscape has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. With Mayor Eric Adams withdrawing from the race, many observers speculated that the departure might reignite the campaign momentum of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Yet, according to recent polls and analysts, Mamdani continues to hold a substantial lead, positioning him as the strong favorite to secure victory on November 4. This development underscores the resonance of his message: that good governance must be both principled and efficient, visionary yet grounded in the practical realities of serving people who expect their city to function effectively.
In sum, Mamdani’s remarks revealed an intriguing and unexpected ideological intersection between progressive public policy and business-oriented pragmatism. His argument—that the pursuit of efficiency, accountability, and quality of life should not belong to any single political faction—invites a reimagining of what it means to govern inclusively. Through that lens, even figures as divergent as a socialist assemblyman and a billionaire innovator can share a common conviction: that a society functions best when it eliminates waste, values human potential, and channels its collective energy toward genuine progress.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/zohran-mamdani-elon-musk-agree-on-one-key-goal-2025-10
