He’s consuming crow — as a substitute of consuming the wealthy.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged billionaire Ken Griffin’s contribution to a brand new NYPD memorial honoring 9/11 heroes Tuesday — amid blowback for concentrating on the businessman in a “tax the wealthy” video.
Hizzoner issued a short due to the Citadel hedge fund CEO as he attended the police division’s annual ceremony including the names of officers who died within the line of responsibility to the hallowed Corridor of Heroes at NYPD headquarters.
“I wish to thank everybody who’s right here with us within the Corridor of Heroes immediately, with particular due to Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and NYPD management,” Mamdani mentioned at One Police Plaza, in entrance of division brass and households of slain officers.
“I additionally wish to thank Ken Griffin for funding a memorial wall that may open later this yr,” he added.
“Most of all, I wish to acknowledge the relations of the fallen officers whom we’re right here to commemorate.”
Mamdani’s quick admission of appreciation for the uber-wealthy businessman got here after the democratic socialist mayor doubled down Friday on what critics known as a probably “harmful” private assault on Griffin.
Mamdani didn’t say he regretted, when requested by reporters, his viral April 15 video filmed exterior Griffin’s 24,000-square-foot pad on Central Park South celebrating Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed pied-á-terre tax on second houses price not less than $5 million within the metropolis.
Griffin didn’t take kindly to getting dragged by the mayor’s publicity stunt, with Citadel COO Gerald Beeson calling it “shameful” and hinting the fund may pull a $6 billion growth in Midtown.
Mamdani “manifested the ignorance and disdain of the elite political class in the direction of those that have been persistently dedicated to constructing one of many best cities on the planet,” Beeson wrote to employees in a company-wide letter Thursday.
The mayor didn’t present regret for his video when pressed on it by reporters the next day, however pressured he needs all New Yorkers to succeed, even Griffin.
The police commissioner was much more effusive in her reward of Griffin’s donation to the New York Metropolis Police Basis that may assist fund a devoted wall within the foyer of 1PP honoring officers killed on Sept. 11, 2001 and people who succumbed later to sicknesses tied to the restoration effort.
“That story has all the time deserved its personal area, and it’s made potential via the generosity of the police basis, and a outstanding private dedication from Ken Griffin. We’re deeply grateful to each,” Tisch mentioned through the occasion.
“Taken collectively, the loss represented on these partitions is bigger than anybody ceremony can convey. It stretches throughout many years of this division’s historical past.”
A spokesperson for Griffin advised The Submit the philanthropist gave a whole lot of thousand {dollars} on the non-profit’s request. He didn’t attend Tuesday’s ceremony as a result of a previous dedication out of the county, the rep mentioned.
The memorial service marked the addition of one other 103 names to the solemn corridor, together with Didarul Islam, who was killed whereas working off-duty, however nonetheless in uniform, within the Park Avenue mass taking pictures on July 28, 2025. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
“Final summer season after his mindless homicide, Detective Islam’s household welcomed me into their house. They spoke of a father, a sibling, a brother in regulation who was humble, beneficiant, and type,” Mamdani mentioned in entrance of Islam’s spouse and different relations. “The Corridor of Heroes is a testomony to an unbreakable neighborhood. “
The names of one other 60 members of the NYPD who died from the COVID-19 pandemic have been additionally added. The entire names have been learn whereas smooth piano music performed.
The brand new addition honoring 9/11 heroes is predicted to be full by the twenty fifth anniversary of the town’s darkest day.
— Further reporting by Craig McCarthy
