50 Cent is standing firm in his opposition to New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s proposed tax plan, continuing a viral back-and-forth that’s brought politics and hip-hop headlines together. The rapper and entrepreneur has made it clear he’s not a fan of Mamdani’s proposal to increase taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents — and he’s not backing down.
The clash began after Mamdani, a Democratic socialist representing Queens, detailed his plan to impose an additional 2% tax on New Yorkers earning over $1 million annually. The revenue, he argued, would go toward funding essential public services like libraries, sanitation, and waste management. “When you have a city like ours that is underfunding its agencies and cutting back on vital services, everyone feels the impact,” Mamdani said in a recent interview.
50 Cent, however, saw things differently. The rapper took to Instagram to slam the plan — and Mamdani himself — with his trademark mix of humor and bluntness. “Who is this guy? Whose friend is he? I’m not on board with this plan,” 50 wrote. “I’m offering $258,750 and a first-class ticket for him to leave town. I’m also telling Trump what he said!”
The post quickly went viral, prompting Mamdani to respond during an appearance on The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC. “He’s a critic! I didn’t even know what my salary would be until I opened Instagram and saw something like ‘50 Cent offers Mamdani x-amount of money,’” he said, laughing. “I thought, ‘That’s quite an exact figure. Wow!’” Despite the jab, Mamdani admitted he’s still a fan of the rapper’s music, calling it “iconic.”
But 50 wasn’t finished. He later reposted a clip of Mamdani’s interview with another caption doubling down on his stance:
“I believe his intentions are good. But his tax proposal will drive wealth out of the city, and if he cuts police funding, there will be chaos. 🤷 @50centaction All roads lead to SHREVEPORT!”
While some praised Mamdani for staying calm under fire, others sided with 50 Cent, echoing concerns about New York’s rising taxes and the potential for wealthy residents to relocate.
The exchange underscores a rare crossover between pop culture and policy, where one of hip-hop’s most outspoken voices is directly challenging a sitting lawmaker’s economic vision — and doing it in true 50 Cent fashion: loud, viral, and unapologetic.
