Robert De Niro is turning to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for help as concerns grow over Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s approach to taxation in New York City.
De Niro, who previously supported Mamdani, now says he has reservations about the direction of the mayor’s economic policies. The actor is calling on Hochul to step in and try to convince Mamdani to reconsider some of his plans.
“She has been my biggest donor,” De Niro stated. “I hope that she can talk some sense into this guy.”
The comments come amid an ongoing debate in New York over taxes on wealthy residents and high-value property. Mamdani has made taxing wealthy New Yorkers a central part of his economic agenda. In April, Mamdani and Hochul announced a new tax on high-end second homes owned by people whose primary residences are outside New York City. The measure applies to qualifying properties valued above $5 million and is projected to generate about $500 million annually.
De Niro’s concern, however, is that aggressive taxation could encourage some wealthy residents to leave the city rather than accept higher costs.
“If those with money move out of town, who exactly will end up paying for all of this?” De Niro asked. “You cannot tax people who have already moved out.”
The actor’s comments reflect a broader debate over how New York should raise revenue while maintaining its wealthy tax base.
Mamdani has argued that New York City needs additional revenue to support public services and address its budget challenges. His administration’s fiscal plan included new revenue measures targeting wealthy property owners, while also emphasizing spending efficiencies and expanded services.
Hochul has taken a more cautious position on broader tax increases. In an August interview, she said she had “no intention” of raising or introducing new taxes in the coming year, although she left open the possibility of changes if New York faced additional unexpected cuts in federal funding.
That puts Hochul in an interesting position as De Niro asks her to intervene.
The governor and Mamdani have nevertheless worked together on several fiscal issues. Their partnership produced the high-end second-home tax, and Mamdani has publicly credited Hochul with helping secure the measure.
De Niro’s latest remarks suggest that his relationship with Mamdani has changed since his earlier support for the mayor.
“I supported him before,” De Niro said. “But the policies I’m seeing now seem completely different from what I expected.”
The actor’s concerns center on the possibility that higher taxes could affect not only wealthy residents but also the city’s broader economic environment.
The question of whether wealthy New Yorkers will actually leave in response to higher taxes remains a subject of debate. Critics of tax increases argue that high earners and investors can relocate, while supporters contend that New York’s public services and economic opportunities remain valuable enough to retain high-income residents.
For now, De Niro appears to be looking toward Albany for an answer.
Whether Hochul will take up his request and attempt to influence Mamdani remains unclear. The governor has already shown that she is willing to negotiate with City Hall, but she has also maintained her own position on broader tax increases.
What began as De Niro’s support for a new mayor has now turned into a very different conversation.
And with New York continuing to debate how much revenue should come from its wealthiest residents, the actor says he hopes Hochul can help keep the discussion from becoming even more complicated.