Rapper 50 Cent is ready to put his money where his mouth is now that Zohran Mamdani, the surprise winner of New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, plans to hike taxes on high earners.
The music mogul made a not-so-subtle offer on Instagram to pay the Democratic Socialist candidate to leave the state entirely.
“Where did he come from whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan no,” the 49-year-old rapper posted.
“I will give him $258,750 and a first class one way ticket away from NY. I’m telling Trump what he said too! @50centaction.”
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Mamdani, who stunned the political establishment by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary, had referenced 50 Cent during a June 11 appearance on “The Breakfast Club.”
While pitching his plan to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations, the Queens assemblyman acknowledged that his proposals wouldn’t sit well with high-income earners.
“And I know if 50 Cent is listening he’s not going to be happy about this. He tends to not like this tax policy,” Mamdani quipped.
Zohran Mamdani to raise corporate tax for all New Yorker based businesses to fund free healthcare, housing, and city owned supermarkets for immigrants — The Breakfast Club pic.twitter.com/7dFggEyO3B
— EM (@EXECUTIVEXMEDIA) June 26, 2025
“But I want to be very clear — this is about $20,000 a year. It’s a rounding error.”
Mamdani outlined two main tax changes: increasing the top corporate tax rate in New York to match New Jersey’s and implementing a 2% flat tax hike on individuals making $1 million or more annually.
“We’re talking about corporations that are making millions of dollars, not in revenue, but in profit,” he argued.
He claimed the additional funds would go toward enhancing public transit, helping small businesses, and a slate of other progressive priorities.
Mamdani also promised to “Trump-proof” the city if elected.
But rapper and entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson made it clear he wasn’t on board.
His criticism echoed growing frustration among the city’s elite and working professionals who see Mamdani’s agenda as a threat to New York’s already strained business environment.
Meanwhile, current Mayor Eric Adams formally launched his reelection campaign on Thursday, standing on the steps of City Hall surrounded by allies.
Despite the vocal support from union leaders and business partners, Adams faced hecklers across the park calling him a “criminal.”
Adams, originally elected as a Democrat, has decided to run as an independent this year.
While he didn’t mention Mamdani by name, he took clear aim at the primary winner’s far-left proposals.
🚨 NYC MAYOR ERIC ADAMS: “There is NO DIGNITY in someone giving you everything for free”
FACTS!
THIS is the message that people need to hear. Communists like Zohran Mamdani are nothing more than snake oil salesmen. pic.twitter.com/feRbodujh7
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 26, 2025
“This is a city not of socialism,” Adams said. “There’s no dignity in someone giving you everything for free.”
“There’s dignity in giving you a job, so you can provide for your family and the opportunities that you deserve,” he continued. “This is not a city of handouts. This is a city of hands up.”
“I’m interested in getting the trash picked up. I’m not interested in slogans,” he added.
“I’m interested in the solutions. I don’t work with special interests. I work for the people.”
I've fought for this city as your mayor, managing 300,000+ employees and a $115 billion budget that have added more cops and made our streets and subways safer, delivered record amounts of housing, cleaned our streets, and helped create more jobs and small businesses than ever… pic.twitter.com/BRBxmltv7S
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) June 26, 2025
Mamdani, who styles himself as a Democratic Socialist, ran on an ambitious and controversial platform that includes government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, and allocating $65 million for gender-related surgeries for adults and minors.
Despite his primary win, he did not clear the 50% threshold, leaving a potential opening for Adams and other challengers in the general election.
As Mamdani’s win reverberated through city and state politics, Democratic officials in suburban swing districts began distancing themselves from the candidate.
Lawmakers from Long Island in particular voiced concern about being associated with Mamdani’s policies ahead of the 2026 midterms.
“We are not socialists,” Rep. Laura Gillen stated in a Wednesday interview.
“[Mamdani] ran a campaign based on a bunch of promises — free everything — without any real economic plan to pay for it, other than raising taxes.”
Gillen rejected Mamdani’s claim that his tax proposals would generate $9 billion, calling them unrealistic.
She also pointed out the policy hurdles his platform faces, noting that many of his plans would require approval from both the state legislature and governor.
“New York City is the economic engine that drives our state, and we need to make sure New York City thrives,” she added.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, who endorsed Cuomo and has previously backed Adams, offered a sharp response.
“I had serious concerns about Assemblyman Mamdani before [the primary], and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent. Those concerns remain.”
Still, Mamdani appears to have found supporters among Hollywood elites.
Liberal actor Mark Hamill of “Star Wars” fame posted a celebratory message using the hashtag “#ANewHope,” in a riff off the 1977 film’s name.
Actress Cynthia Nixon, best known for her role on “Sex and The City,” joined in, posting a photo of herself with the caption, “Mamdani has crushed Andrew Cuomo in the NYC primary for Mayor!”
“Star Trek” icon George Takei took it a step further, mistakenly referring to Mamdani as the “mayor elect.”
“Congratulations to the new mayor elect of New York, Zohran Mamdani!” he posted on Blue Sky.
“He ran a campaign that should be studied by students of politics for years to come.”