Zohran Mamdani, the socialist candidate for NYC mayor, faces accusations of hypocrisy from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who criticized him for possessing valuable real estate in Uganda while portraying himself as a representative of the working class.
Cuomo asserted, “Owning foreign investments while living in a rent-stabilized apartment in the nation’s most competitive housing market exemplifies hypocrisy.” The independent candidate, currently polling second to Mamdani, voiced these thoughts in an interview with The Post.
“Mamdani can brand himself as a champion for the working class, but this is merely a performance from the son of an acclaimed director. True working-class individuals don’t live in luxury estates protected by security; that’s a lifestyle reserved for the children of oligarchs,” Cuomo added.
“Zohran Mamdani is simply a privileged individual relying on family wealth,” Cuomo remarked.
The 33-year-old Queens assemblyman has advocated for the “abolition of private property,” and disclosed in his recent financial filings that he has owned a parcel of vacant land in Jinja, Uganda, valued between $100,000 and $250,000 since 2012.
His influential parents—Columbia University Professor Mahmood Mamdani and “Monsoon Wedding” director Mira Nair—own a stunning five-bedroom, four-bathroom villa in Uganda that has been listed on Airbnb for eight years, despite Mamdani’s known opposition to the platform, as reported by The Post last week.
The lavish property presents a stark contrast to the working-class image that Mamdani strives to uphold on the campaign trail, such as sharing videos of himself enjoying large burritos on the subway, all while he is being scrutinized for living in an inexpensive rent-stabilized apartment in Queens given his affluent background.
Cuomo’s reported net worth stands at $10 million, according to Forbes.
The Mamdani campaign has not responded to requests for comment.