‘One way ticket out of NYC': Rapper 50 Cent's offer to Zohran Mamdani over proposal to tax rich
American rapper 50 Cent has sparked controversy with his recent post on Instagram slamming the Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani's proposed tax reforms. The hip-hop star offered to buy Mamdani a 'first-class one-way ticket' out of New York City after the newly nominated Democratic mayoral candidate vowed to raise taxes on the wealthy.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, recently clinched the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor. His campaign focused on housing affordability, rent freezes in stabilised units, city-run grocery stores, and free public transport, all to be funded through increased taxes on New York's top earners.
In an Instagram post, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, shared a clip of Mamdani explaining his tax proposal and wrote, 'Where did he come from? Whose friend is this? I'm not feeling this plan no.' The rapper also added, 'I'll give him $258,750 and a first class one-way ticket away from NY. I'm telling Trump what he said too!'
The rapper's outburst came in response to Mamdani's comments on The Breakfast Club podcast earlier this month, where he suggested a flat 2% tax hike for those earning over $1 million annually. 'I know if 50 Cent is listening, he's not going to be happy about this,' Mamdani had said, anticipating pushback.
Right-wing social media users, including Trump supporters, quickly joined the fray, mocking Mamdani and cheering 50 Cent's remarks. MAGA-aligned accounts told Mamdani 'good riddance,' while conservative influencer Nick Sortor reacted with 'LMAO.'
Despite the backlash, Mamdani stood by his plan during a CNN interview, citing data from the Fiscal Policy Institute which suggested that high earners were less likely to leave New York than lower-income groups, and often moved to other high-tax states like New Jersey and California.
Mamdani, who recently defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprise political upset, said the issue was less about tax burdens and more about quality of life in the city.
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The timely and coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), under your leadership and guidance, ensured that all 1,300 Kashmiri students and other families were safely brought back to India and reunited with their families.""The prompt assistance provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brought tremendous relief to the frightened and anxious families across the Valley. The care and priority given to the safety of Kashmiri students from the initial response to the final leg of their journey was nothing short of exemplary. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association had written to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, who took up the matter immediately from day one, as soon as the escalation began. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy remained in constant touch with us from the very first day the conflict and escalation began between Iran and Israel. Your swift response and prioritisation of the students' safety led to their successful and timely evacuation," the letter students thanked the Indian Embassy in Iran for ground-level coordination and communication."We are also deeply thankful for the crucial role played by the Indian Embassy in Iran as well. Their on-ground coordination, efficient handling of documentation, and sensitive communication with the students and their institutions were pivotal in ensuring their safety. The coordinated travel arrangements to border crossings, relocations to safer zones like Mashad, Qom, Ramsar, and Armenia, and final airlifts to India via Mashad and Yerevan were masterfully executed," the students added that the students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted."Students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted swiftly, thanks to your direct intervention. 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Your leadership sent a clear message to every Kashmiri household that; their children matter, their lives are valued, and the Indian government stands resolutely by its citizens, regardless of geography or adversity," the students wrote."This act of care and timely intervention has not only saved lives but has renewed faith in the protective embrace of the Indian government especially among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom have long yearned for such responsive and inclusive governance," the letter Association also noted the Centre's efforts in evacuating during conflicts across the and Kashmir Students Association wrote, "This is not the first instance of the Government of India standing firmly for its citizens. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bangladesh reservation crisis, the Afghanistan-U.S. war, and the Syrian unrest, your government's efforts ensured the safety and return of thousands of Indian citizens, many of them from Jammu and Kashmir.""Such actions reflect the Government of India's, the Ministry of External Affairs', and the Indian Embassy's consistent dedication to ensuring the safety, dignity, and even religious aspirations of Indian citizens, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir. The PMO and MEA's commitment has been a beacon of hope and reassurance to distressed families in the most turbulent times," the letter on Wednesday night, a special flight carrying 272 Indian nationals and three Nepalese citizens stranded in conflict-hit Iran's Mashhad landed safely in New Delhi, taking the total number of people evacuated under Operation Sindhu to 3,426. Evacuees thanked the Iranian and Indian governments for evacuating them from conflict-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu.
