Zohran Mamdani says Wall Street has nothing to fear from his agenda

New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani embraces the identity of a Democratic Socialist, arguing that the movement represents a return to the Democratic Party’s New Deal roots while insisting that Wall Street and corporate leaders have nothing to fear from his rule.

We conducted an extensive interview with. New York TimesMamdani rejected the idea that his political label was a liability and instead characterized Democratic Socialism as the modern incarnation of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s vision of the Democratic Party.

“What makes me proud to be a Democrat is looking at what our party used to stand for. You think of the Four Freedoms, you think of FDR, you think of the New Deal,” Mamdani said. “These things are at the core of our party’s identity, and yet it feels like experiencing it, you should read about it. You don’t see it around you anymore. And that’s not something I’m willing to accept, and I know many people feel the same way.”

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These remarks come as Mamdani has emerged as one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent progressive voices following a series of successful endorsements of Democratic Socialist candidates who won primary races in the House of Representatives.

While doubling down on Democratic Socialism, Mamdani emphasized that his administration welcomes private investment and collaboration with Wall Street, finance and real estate leaders, although he continues to push for higher taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents.

“I think it’s important,” Mamdani said of the city’s relationship with private sector leaders. “And what we have in common with the leaders of these industries — even in the midst of disagreements, because I believe we can raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers a little more — is what brings us together, both our belief in the city and our commitment to its continued vitality.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Congressional candidate Claire Valdez embrace during the pre-visit party held at 99 Scott Studio in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City on June 23, 2026. ((Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images))

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Mamdani cited the recent announcement of American Express’ new headquarters at Two World Trade Center as evidence that major companies continue to invest in New York.

“These business leaders aren’t just making decisions based on dollars and cents, they’re making decisions based on investing in the city and what the city represents,” he said.

The mayor also rejected the notion that Democratic Socialism is incompatible with economic growth after the interviewer noted that he resembled a “capitalist mayor.”

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“I will always celebrate the continued investment in this city,” Mamdani said. “I will also work to ensure that more and more New Yorkers can take advantage of these benefits.”

But even as Mamdani boasts about his support for corporate investment, an analysis by the Citizens Budget Commission to create New York’s share of the nation’s millionaires dropped from 12.7% in 2010 to 8.7% in 2022; This was the steepest decline of any state, costing an estimated $10.7 billion in personal income tax revenue in 2022 alone.

The report points out that New York’s high taxes and declining competitiveness relative to states such as Florida and Texas are factors behind the declining share of millionaires in the country.

Congressional candidate Claire Valdez, Congressional candidate Brad Lander, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier raise their hands during the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at King’s Theater in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Mamdani has made raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers a key part of his economic agenda, arguing that the city’s top earners and most profitable corporations should bear more of the cost of financing public services.

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His interview comes as national Democrats debate the future direction of the party ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Mamdani argued that the victory of democratic socialist candidates was a sign that voters had embraced his party vision.

“For too long, we have thought that our party, the Democratic Party, the only answer we had was to say that we are not the Republican Party,” Mamdani said. “But we also need to have a vision of what will happen after this administration.”