Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday raised concerns about how New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani plans to fund his progressive initiatives, noting that his strongest supporters “are not people who pay bills every day.”
According to Fox News, Smith said on his “Straight Shooter” podcast, that he likes Mamdani personally but admitted he’s “not happy” about the 34-year-old democratic socialist’s victory and is “very, very concerned about some of the things that he said.”
“I just want to know where the money is coming from. See, I count. OK, I count, and I can’t tell you how many young teenagers — it could be daughters, it could be nieces and nephews, it could be friends and family members or relatives of folks along that age gap, and you’re asking the same question. And you know what you come up with? The people who love Mamdani the most are not people who pay bills every day,” Smith said.
He clarified that his comments don’t apply to all supporters but noted, “You don’t see business owners clamoring” to back Mamdani.
Smith also questioned Mamdani’s proposed economic policies. “Two percent tax on the rich. OK, fine. 11.5% capital gains tax. On its face, okay, fine. Free buses, free grocery stores in each borough. Really think that’s going to work?” he asked.
He warned that higher taxes could make New York City “unattractive” to residents and businesses, potentially forcing them to leave and shifting the tax burden onto those who remain. “See, these are all the kind of things that we have to connect the dots and ask ourselves. One plus one, does it equal two? Is it really plausible that these things are going to happen?” he said.
Smith also expressed concern about Mamdani’s previous statements on policing. “I’m very concerned about what he once said about defunding the police. I’m calling 9-1-1. I’m being real with you, I call the 9-1-1. That’s what I’m doing. I don’t want to see less police officers, I want to see more police officers,” he said.
“I heard him talk about mental health experts in the subway system. I don’t care about that. I want cops in the subways in New York City, where I was born and raised, born in the Bronx, raised in Queens. That’s what I want. I don’t want to hear about no damn mental health expert in subways. Nah, I’m not trying to hear that,” Smith added.
Mamdani later disavowed his prior remarks on defunding the NYPD, saying in June, “I will not defund the police. I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play in creating public safety.”
The mayor-elect had previously described part of the NYPD as a “rogue agency” and called it “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.” Mamdani has expressed interest in keeping current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, though she has not confirmed her position under the new administration.
