Rapper and business mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has re-entered the political conversation in dramatic fashion, offering over a quarter of a million dollars to encourage Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani to leave New York City.
The outspoken artist and entrepreneur took issue with Mamdani’s recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, during which the Queens Assemblyman and newly minted Democratic mayoral candidate detailed his progressive tax agenda. Mamdani, who stunned observers with a primary victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, laid out a vision that includes raising corporate taxes and implementing a 2% flat tax increase on New Yorkers earning over $1 million annually.
“We’re talking about corporations that are making millions of dollars — not in revenue, but in profit,” Mamdani said on-air. “And the second [piece] is taxing the top 1% of New Yorkers. We’re talking about people who make a million dollars a year or more, taxing them just by a flat 2% tax increase.”
He even name-dropped the rapper during his remarks, saying, “I know if 50 Cent is listening, he’s not going to be happy about this. He tends to not like this tax policy, but I want to be very clear — this is about $20,000 a year.”
50 Cent wasn’t pleased with the proposal.
“Where did he come from 👀 whose friend is this?” the rapper posted on Instagram, along with a video clip from Mamdani’s interview. “I’m not feeling this plan, no. I will 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 blunt critique comes just days after former President Donald Trump launched his own verbal offensive against Mamdani, branding him a “100% Communist Lunatic” in a Truth Social post.
Mamdani, who is aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America and has drawn comparisons to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), has openly embraced his progressive platform — including proposals for city-run grocery stores and cuts to police funding. His surprise primary win is being hailed by the far-left as a grassroots victory, while critics across the political spectrum raise concerns about the economic consequences of his plans, and credit his upset to ranked choice voting rather than an accurate reflection of New York’s voters.
“I already moved my money,” 50 Cent warned in a previous interview. “They keep pushing and the city’s gonna be empty — just broke people yelling at each other.”
Whether the rapper’s offer to fund Mamdani’s one-way exit is serious or satirical, it reflects growing tensions between New York’s progressive political class and its business-minded elite. As the 2025 general election heats up, it’s clear that Mamdani’s policies — and persona — are sparking fierce debate well beyond the world of politics.
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Why do they rename SOCIALISTS/COMMUNISTS “PROGRESSIVES” when all they want to destroy all freedoms and control to the extreme everyone’s lifes? Just as Winston Churchill defined them: “SOCIALISM IS A PHILOSOPHY OF FAILURE, THE CREED OF IGNORANCE, AND THE GOSPEL OF ENVY. ITS INHERENT VIRTUE IS THE EQUAL SHARING OF MISERTY.” Remember this when casting your vote.