Trending Now - Real Estate Mogul Compares 'tax the Rich' to Hate Speech

WHO:

Fast Company - Ken Griffin stated, “The first time, I couldn’t believe what I was watching,” regarding Mamdani's video.

Fast Company - Griffin described the video as “creepy and weird” and expressed alarm over being put "in harm's way."

CNN - Steve Roth, CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, stated, “I consider the phrase ‘tax the rich’ when spit out with anger and contempt by politicians both here and across the country, to be just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs and even the phrase, ‘from the river to the sea.’”

Fortune - Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, expressed his disbelief regarding the video posted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

NY Post - Steve Roth, CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The proposed pied-à-terre tax targets residential properties valued over $5 million owned by non-full-time city residents.

Fast Company - Citadel's planned investment in New York City, a proposed supertall office tower at 350 Park Avenue, is under reconsideration due to the new tax.

Fast Company - Ken Griffin stated that the proposed pied-à-terre tax is likely to drive America’s business leaders away from New York City, questioning if there will be a special tax rate for those who own office buildings but live out of state.

Fast Company - Griffin mentioned that Citadel's planned investment in New York City, a proposed supertall office tower at 350 Park Avenue, is under reconsideration due to the new tax.

The Guardian - Roth mentioned that Vornado Realty Trust is expected to pay $560 million in real estate taxes this year.

Fast Company - Ken Griffin described the video as "creepy and weird" and stated that it "put me in harm's way."

Fast Company - Griffin's penthouse was purchased for $239 million, making it the most expensive residential sale in U.S. history.

CNN - The proposed pied-à-terre tax could generate approximately $500 million annually from an estimated 11,200 second homes.

The Guardian - Vornado Realty Trust is expected to pay $560 million in real estate taxes this year.

Fortune - Griffin stated that the video shocked him and described his initial reaction as "pure disbelief."

Fortune - Griffin mentioned that Citadel has filed permits with the city of Miami to expand its new headquarters by “several hundred thousand square feet.”

Fortune - The proposed pied-à-terre tax is projected to generate at least $500 million.

NY Post - Steve Roth described the 'Tax the Rich' campaign as "ugly."

Politico - Roth compared the 'tax the rich' slogan to racial slurs during an earnings call.

WHERE:

Fortune - The video was filmed outside Griffin’s $238 million penthouse at 220 Central Park South.

NY Post - The criticism took place outside Ken Griffin’s home.

WHEN:

NY Post - The earnings call occurred on a Tuesday morning.

WHY:

Fast Company - Griffin indicated that the video and the proposed tax policy are driving Citadel to expand its Miami headquarters, adding "far more jobs in Miami over the next decade."

Fortune - Griffin indicated that the video put him "in harm’s way," referencing the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.

Politico - Roth's comments were made in response to the 'Tax the Rich' campaign led by Mamdani.

HOW:

Fast Company - Citadel has filed permits with the city of Miami to expand its new headquarters by “several hundred thousand square feet” as a direct consequence of Mamdani’s video.

Fast Company - Citadel has already filed permits with the city of Miami to expand its new headquarters by “several hundred thousand square feet” as a direct consequence of Mamdani’s video.

Fast Company - Citadel plans to expand its Miami headquarters by "several hundred thousand square feet" as a direct consequence of Mamdani's video.

Fortune - Griffin described the decision to expand in Miami as a direct response to Mamdani’s video and the proposed tax policy.

NY Post - Roth made his remarks during an earnings call.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 23:14 UTC)

Ken Griffin expressed his disbelief and concern over a video by Mamdani, describing it as "creepy and weird," and highlighted the risk it posed to him. This reaction comes as Citadel reevaluates its planned investment in a supertall office tower at 350 Park Avenue due to a proposed pied-à-terre tax targeting properties valued over $5 million owned by non-full-time city residents. As a result, Citadel is moving forward with plans to expand its Miami headquarters by several hundred thousand square feet, which Griffin says will create far more jobs in Miami over the next decade.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 21:19 UTC)

In a bold statement, Steve Roth, CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, compared the phrase "tax the rich" to hateful racial slurs, expressing his disdain for the anger it evokes from politicians. Meanwhile, Ken Griffin raised concerns that the proposed pied-à-terre tax could push business leaders away from New York City, and he revealed that Citadel is reconsidering its plans for a supertall office tower at 350 Park Avenue due to this new tax. As a direct result of these developments, Citadel has already filed permits to expand its new headquarters in Miami by several hundred thousand square feet.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Ken Griffin has described a controversial video as "creepy and weird," claiming it "put me in harm's way," while also noting that his penthouse purchase for $239 million stands as the most expensive residential sale in U.S. history. In related news, a proposed pied-à-terre tax could bring in around $500 million annually from approximately 11,200 second homes, and Vornado Realty Trust is expected to pay $560 million in real estate taxes this year. Additionally, Citadel plans to expand its Miami headquarters by several hundred thousand square feet as a direct result of the fallout from Mamdani's video.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:28 UTC)

Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel, expressed his shock and disbelief regarding a video posted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, which he said put him "in harm’s way," especially in light of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. In response to the situation, Griffin revealed that Citadel has filed permits to expand its new headquarters in Miami by several hundred thousand square feet, while also noting that the proposed pied-à-terre tax could generate at least $500 million. The video in question was filmed outside Griffin’s $238 million penthouse at 220 Central Park South.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 09:44 UTC)

Steve Roth, CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, has criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, describing the 'Tax the Rich' campaign as "ugly" and even comparing the slogan to racial slurs during an earnings call. This criticism was voiced outside Ken Griffin’s home and came in response to Mamdani's ongoing campaign. Roth made these remarks during an earnings call that took place on a Tuesday morning.