Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent has sparked a heated online debate following the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor. The music star took to Instagram to express his disapproval, sharing an AI-generated image of a gravestone that read, “RIP NYC. FOUNDED 1624. DIED 2025.” The post is the latest salvo in a public feud centered on the new mayor’s progressive tax proposals.
The conflict stems from Mamdani’s stated plans to raise taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents, including a new two percent tax for New Yorkers earning over one million dollars a year. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has been a vocal critic of these policies. Earlier this year, he jokingly offered the then-candidate “$258,750 and a first class one-way ticket away from NY” and claimed he would inform former President Donald Trump about Mamdani’s comments.
The rapper’s latest post was met with a wave of reactions on social media. While some supporters agreed with his sentiment, many users criticized the stance. “Rich people being upset about elections is a good thing for regular citizens,” one person commented. Another wrote, “LMAOOOOOOOO CRY HARDER,” while a third stated that Mamdani’s policies would help lower-income families.
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In a surprising and humorous response during an MSNBC interview, Mamdani acknowledged the feud. “He’s a critic!” Mamdani said, before revealing that he learned about the rapper’s unusual financial offer through Instagram. Despite their policy disagreement, the mayor-elect made a lighthearted confession: “Even though we have a disagreement on tax policy, every time I get a death threat, I still listen to ‘Many Men’.” The exchange highlights the cultural and political divides that Mamdani’s administration will navigate from its first day.
