Mayor Zohran Mamdani has posted a video to his official X page that features both him and Council Speaker Julie Menin shaking hands to formally agree on the 2027 fiscal year budget in New York City, New York. The actual event happened just hours before the due date.
Critics in the comments section of the post expressed frustration and skepticism about whether the budget arrangement would actually benefit everyday New Yorkers. One commenter even called the event a “photo op,” claiming that affordable housing won’t be on the cards.
The video above begins with the two shaking hands to agree on the $125.8 billion municipal budget. This happened to take place only 15 hours before it was legally due.
To further clarify the budget itself, Mamdani is heard saying, “This is only the first budget of our administration. Many more will follow, and every budget that follows will build on the principles established here: Honest budgeting, fiscal discipline, transparent government and an unwavering belief that working people deserve a City Hall that delivers for them every single day.“
Zohran Mamdani can be seen surrounded by various other New York City officials, some taking a turn at the microphone, such as Finance Chair Linda Lee, who spoke about identifying savings and new revenue opportunities in the face of a budget deficit and affordability crisis.
Comments and Reactions Towards Mayor Mamdani’s Budget Deal
However, commenters are not convinced of this. In the comments section below the video, one person wrote, “To summarize this is a photo op and we are not getting truly affordable housing and they will be locked behind lotteries and Ami built in bullshit places or not built at all or given to illegals and no free buses for working people. Yeah very affordable isn’t?“
Another person criticized Mayor Mamdani’s policies more broadly, writing, “Good job voters. He has defunded the police. Thousands will leave and none will replace them. Criminals will take advantage of the shortage and crime will rise. If you voted for this man and become a crime victim know you did it yourself.“
Similarly, a different comment reads, “Florida’s entire budget is less. What a fraud.“
However, not everyone was negative, with some commenters expressing optimism about the agreement and hoping it would benefit citizens. One person simply wrote, “Hope this agreement delivers meaningful results for New Yorkers,” while another wrote, “Best Mayor.”
The budget deal has continued to fuel debate online, with supporters praising the agreement while critics question its size, priorities, and long-term impact on New York City. As discussion continues, the announcement shows little sign of fading from public conversation.
