Billionaire Bill Ackman attempted to extend an olive branch to New York City's mayoral elect, Zohran Mamdani, tagging him on X and writing, "congrats on the win. Now you have a big responsibility. If I can help NYC, just let me know what I can do."
.@ZohranKMamdani, congrats on the win. Now you have a big responsibility. If I can help NYC, just let me know what I can do.
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 5, 2025
Ackman is scrambling to get in with the new mayor, after initially endorsing incumbent mayor Eric Adams, and then former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
He followed up on Wednesday, writing:
Some have been surprised by my conciliatory post to Mamdani. Mamdani won a decisive election. He is going to be our mayor for the next four years. I care enormously about New York City which has been very good to me and my family since we emigrated to NYC in the 1890s. (And for the record I have been a NYC resident since 1988 despite Sliwa’s statement to the contrary. I was born in NYC and grew up in Chappaqua and returned to NYC when I graduated from college.)While I did not support Mamdani for mayor and have concerns about the unintended and negative consequences of his policies, I want to do everything I can to help NYC regardless of who are mayor is.
Some have been surprised by my conciliatory post to Mamdani. Mamdani won a decisive election. He is going to be our mayor for the next four years. I care enormously about New York City which has been very good to me and my family since we emigrated to NYC in the 1890s.
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 5, 2025
(And for… https://t.co/Z8IX3fbpVu
“I appreciated his words,” Mamdani said on ABC's “Good Morning America” on Wednesday. “I think what I find is that there is a needed commitment from leaders of the city to speak and work with anyone who is committed to lowering the cost of living in the city — and that’s something that I will fulfill."
Ackman said he supported Cuomo because he had the necessary experience and skills to improve NYC.
“There is a lot that needs to be improved in New York City. @andrewcuomo is an experienced leader that cares deeply about our city who has the relevant experience and skills necessary to lead and greatly improve NYC,” Ackman said at the time. “Andrew had major accomplishments as our governor. He also made some mistakes. I am a huge believer in backing leaders who have learned from their mistakes and have something to prove.”
Ackman spent nearly $1.75 million trying to ensure that Mamdani did not win his bid for city hall. While traditionally a Democrat donor, he supported President Trump in 2024 because of his commitment to American businesses.
