Latest York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted a prominent anti-Israel activist at Gracie Mansion, prompting criticism from filmmaker Ami Horowitz, who reacted to the event on YouTube. The meeting occurred as Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, recently moved into the historic mayoral residence, transitioning from a rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment in Astoria, Queens.
The move to Gracie Mansion, a 226-year-old building with over 10,000 square feet of space, was announced by Mamdani in December 2025 via an Instagram post, sharing a photo of a miniature replica of the mansion from the New York Botanical Garden’s train indicate. He cited safety concerns and a desire to focus on his affordability agenda as reasons for the relocation. The decision followed a campaign where his housing situation was a point of contention, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo questioning how Mamdani could afford a rent-stabilized unit on a $142,000 salary.
Mamdani has made affordability a central tenet of his mayoralty, advocating for a rent freeze on the city’s approximately one million rent-stabilized units. His move into Gracie Mansion, a symbol of New York City’s power structure, represents a significant shift from his previous living arrangements. The mansion itself is one of the oldest remaining wood buildings in the five boroughs.
During the move-in process, Mamdani remarked on the historical significance of Gracie Mansion, stating his intention to be “the best possible custodians” of the home, acknowledging their temporary occupancy. He also expressed a desire to open the mansion to the public, contrasting with its historically limited accessibility. Former Mayor Eric Adams reportedly left a note for Mamdani, jokingly mentioning the mansion’s resident “ghost.”
In a separate incident, Gracie Mansion was the site of a protest in April 2026, where two individuals were arrested after attempting to deploy “suspicious devices” during a clash between two protest groups. Mayor Mamdani was reportedly inside the mansion at the time of the event.
