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Stephen A. Smith Questions NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s Policing and Spending Agenda

The ESPN host cast doubt on the affordability of the platform, citing the mayor-elect’s past 'defund the police' comments.

Overview

  • Zohran Mamdani, 34, won the New York City mayoralty on a democratic‑socialist platform that includes higher taxes, a rent freeze, free buses, city grocery stores, and free childcare.
  • On his SiriusXM podcast, Stephen A. Smith said he is "not happy" about the result and called for more police officers, including cops in subways, over mental health responders.
  • Smith questioned how proposals such as free buses and city-run groceries would be funded and warned that higher taxes could prompt wealthy residents and businesses to leave the city.
  • Reporting highlighted Mamdani’s June 2020 post advocating defunding the NYPD, a position he downplayed during his mayoral campaign.
  • A CNN-cited exit poll showed Andrew Cuomo leading Mamdani among voters earning under $30,000 by 48% to 42%.