Fact Check: Was George Clooney’s $25M NYC home hit by Mamdani’s new pied-a-terre tax?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral meme claimed that George Clooney's $25 million-plus New York City home had been hit by the city's new pied-a-terre tax on luxury second homes.

The claim circulated as Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul's new surcharge faced growing criticism and legal challenges. The meme also sparked online reactions, with some users mocking Clooney and calling the tax "karma" for his supposed support. Let's fact check the claim.

Claim: George Clooney's $25 million-plus NYC home faced Mamdani's tax

The viral posts claimed that George Clooney's $25 million-plus New York penthouse counted as his "second home" and therefore would be subject to Mamdani's tax.

The post began, "George Clooney's $25+ million penthouse in NYC is technically his "second home," because whenever he comes to NYC to shoot or direct, he uses this residence-and therefore it falls under Mamdani's wealth tax."

It added, "Mr. Clooney is apparently very upset about Mamdani's wealth tax. He said in a podcast that he does a lot of charity work and considers himself exempt from the wealth tax, but he still received a letter from the Mamdani government demanding that he pay it."

The viral posts also attributed a political comment to Clooney, claiming he said, "I voted for Mamdani to help out the poor and was ready to bear a little communism, but it's gotten way out of hand."

Fact Check: The viral claim about Clooney's tax notice was false

The claim is false. The meme circulating on X originated from a Facebook page called 'The Satire Liners,' which clearly stated that it posted satire and that "Nothing on this page is Real."

No credible news outlets have reported that Clooney made the statements or received a tax notice from the Mamdani administration.

The rumor was based on a real policy debate. Zohran Mamdani has supported measures targeting high-value properties that are not used as primary residences, often described as a pied-a-terre tax or a tax on luxury second homes. The new levy targets qualifying non-primary residences, with the highest rate applying to properties valued at $25 million or more.

The policy has drawn public attention and controversy, including discussion about other wealthy property owners such as billionaire Ken Griffin.

George Clooney's New York property and the tax claim

Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, have owned a Manhattan condo, which they reportedly purchased for about $14.75 million in 2016 at 100 East 53rd Street. Reports at the time said the couple purchased a high-floor residence in the building rather than its $65 million penthouse.

They have also used luxury rentals while staying in New York. However, there is no evidence that Clooney received a letter demanding payment, claimed a charity exemption or made the alleged "little communism" comment.

The viral meme therefore mixed real details about Clooney's New York property with fabricated claims about his political views and an alleged tax notice.

While the debate over the pied-a-terre tax is real, the specific claim that Clooney's home had been hit by the tax was not supported by credible evidence. The post's origin as satire further undermines the claim.