Eric Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, has launched a scathing critique against Democratic-led American cities during a recent FOX News appearance, specifically targeting New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani while discussing what he described as a mass exodus of businesses from Democrat states.
Business Exodus from Democratic Cities
During the interview, Eric Trump highlighted what he called an ongoing exodus of businesses from Democratic states and cities to Republican-controlled areas. He specifically mentioned the Seattle mayor-elect's stance against Starbucks as an example of this trend. "The mayor-elect of Seattle is literally going after Starbucks," Trump stated, emphasizing that companies are moving to Republican states where they face less opposition.
Trump referenced Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's opposition to Amazon's proposed New York headquarters as another example of Democratic policies driving businesses away. "I don't need to remind you how AOC was going after Amazon when they wanted to set up their headquarters in New York City. She ran them out like absolute dogs," he remarked, adding that he personally relocated from New York City to Florida due to political reasons.
Sharp Criticism Against Zohran Mamdani
The Trump son reserved particularly strong language for New York's incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, whom he described as "a socialist, communist -- however you want to label him." Eric Trump made several controversial claims about Mamdani, stating the mayor-elect "wants to arrest Netanyahu, hates the Jewish, hates the Indian population, and wants to defund law enforcement."
Trump argued that cities like New York need safe streets, clean streets and comparatively lower taxes to thrive. "If you have these, there is no place that can compare to New York City. No one could compete against New York City," he stated, suggesting that Mamdani's policies would undermine these essential elements.
Business Concerns and Starbucks Boycott
The political commentary comes amid genuine concerns from some businesses regarding Mamdani's upcoming administration. Several businesses have expressed worries that Mamdani's policies would not be favorable for small businesses, with some considering relocation in response to his election.
Adding to the business community's concerns, both Mamdani and Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson have called for boycotts against Starbucks in solidarity with striking baristas. "While workers are on strike, I won't be buying any Starbucks, and I'm asking you to join us," Mamdani posted publicly. Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating clearly: "I am not buying Starbucks and you should not either."
Potential Trump-Mamdani Meeting
Despite the sharp political differences and personal criticisms, Donald Trump hinted at a potential meeting with the New York mayor-elect. Speaking to reporters, the former president indicated that Mamdani had expressed interest in meeting him in Washington. "We'll work something out," Trump said late Sunday. "He would like to come to Washington and meet, and we'll work something out. We want to see everything work out well for New York."
Mamdani's team confirmed on Monday that they had indeed reached out to the White House, suggesting that despite the public political sparring, channels of communication remain open between the two camps. This development indicates that behind the harsh rhetoric, both sides recognize the importance of maintaining dialogue for the benefit of New York City and its residents.
