New York State is facing a political and financial “double whammy” from the Trump administration, as both President Donald Trump and his Transportation Chief escalated pressure on state leadership this week, specifically blasting Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
In a sharply worded Truth Social post, Trump took aim at New York City leadership, writing: “Sadly, Mayor Mamdani is DESTROYING New York! It has no chance! … The TAX, TAX, TAX Policies are SO WRONG. People are fleeing… THIS ‘STUFF’ JUST DOESN’T WORK.”
The criticism quickly drew support from media figures, including WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, who amplified the president’s message on X. “Now that the GREAT @realDonaldTrump has stated publicly that our Anti American Mayor is DESTROYING our city hopefully it will open the door for a complete verbal drubbing of this clown! Taxing the rich and raising taxes is just the tip of the iceberg! … Please! Tell this @NYCMayor how you really feel!” Rosenberg wrote.
The Trump Truth Social post was quickly followed by action from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who announced a major funding cut on Twitter, tied to concerns over commercial driver oversight.
“🚨I’m pulling $73 MILLION in federal highway grants from New York until the state follows OUR RULES and makes sure foreign truckers are VETTED and QUALIFIED 🚨,” Duffy posted on X. He added that the Department of Transportation “will not fund Governor Hochul’s dangerous anti-American policies. Full stop.”
Federal enforcement actions have also highlighted the issue. In one operation along the New York State Thruway, Border Patrol agents arrested 37 illegal immigrants in Western New York, including 30 who were operating commercial vehicles with CDL licenses.
Officials say the arrests underscore safety concerns involving unqualified or improperly vetted drivers behind the wheel of large tractor-trailers. Federal authorities have warned of an “alarming trend” of such cases nationwide, raising pressure on states to tighten compliance.
The escalating clash over taxes comes as Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani push for new tax measures aimed at high-end property owners. Hochul has proposed a pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes valued at $5 million or more, arguing it would generate at least $500 million annually for the city.
“If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker,” Hochul said.
Mamdani echoed that message, framing the proposal as a way to close the city’s budget gap without burdening working residents.
“Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites with a pied-à-terre tax,” Mamdani said, adding the goal is to ensure “the wealthy contribute what they owe” while supporting “working New Yorkers being priced out of our city.”
Together, the federal funding threat and proposed new taxes highlight a widening divide over economic policy, immigration enforcement, and the financial future of New York.