NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s Funding Tied to George Soros

Zohran Mamdani, a socialist candidate for the NYC mayoralty, has expressed his opposition to billionaires, asserting they should not exist. However, financial disclosures reveal that his campaign has benefitted significantly from the extensive support of billionaire George Soros.

Although Soros did not directly donate to Mamdani, his Open Society Foundation has funneled over $37 million into left-wing groups such as the Working Families Party and others that helped Mamdani secure the Democratic nomination, defeating ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo. Specifically, the Working Families Party received approximately $23.7 million from Soros’s nonprofit, facilitating cross-endorsement strategies that positioned Mamdani favorably.

Additional funds—totaling nearly $14 million—were distributed among nine organizations, including social justice nonprofits such as Make The Road Action, Community Voices Heard, and MoveOn. These groups actively supported Mamdani’s campaign, advocating his Marxist policies like promoting criminal migrants and condemning Israel.

Zohran Mamdani at a campaign event — Zohran Mamdani speaks at a campaign event for his mayoral bid.

While Mamdani champion’s anti-wealth rhetoric, critics note his campaign’s financial backing from Soros’s network exemplifies the influence of wealthy donors in politics. The foundation’s indirect support highlights a pattern of funding that underpins much of Mamdani’s political activity.

Patrick Gaspard, a former Soros executive now associated with the Center for American Progress, reportedly provided oversight and strategic guidance for Mamdani’s campaign, including a notable meetup with Mamdani and another candidate, Brad Lander, at a Midtown restaurant, where they agreed to cross-endorse to oust Cuomo.

Money pipeline illustrating Soros's funding for Mamdani’s campaign — A diagram showing the flow of funds from Soros’s foundation to organizations supporting Mamdani.

Political opponents accuse Mamdani of benefiting from the very billionaire support he claims to oppose, fueling fears of New York’s future as a city influenced heavily by elite donors. Critics argue this dynamic could lead to the departure of productive residents and business owners, altering the city’s fabric.