Ron DeSantis dubs Zohran Mamdani ‘realtor of the year’, says NYC policies drive Florida migration

WASHINGTON, DC: Ron DeSantis said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is acting as “realtor of the year” for Florida, arguing that New York’s policies are driving residents to the Sunshine State.

The remarks come as DeSantis continues to comment on migration trends between Florida and New York. He said Mamdani’s leadership and policy direction are contributing to an exodus of taxpayers and businesses from New York City.

Ron DeSantis blames NYC policies for migration

DeSantis said decisions made in New York are benefiting Florida by pushing new residents south. He made the remarks during a fireside chat at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026.

In a wide-ranging interview, the former 2024 GOP presidential candidate criticized rising taxes and government spending in major urban areas such as New York, Chicago, and California.

“I don’t think it’s good that, like, one guy gets elected mayor and then people feel like they have to flee the city,” DeSantis said, referring to Mamdani.

“We’d have people come down to Florida all the time, and they responded to all those problems, not by correcting the problems, but electing somebody who was exacerbating the problems.”

He framed the trend as part of a broader migration pattern seen in recent years, with individuals and companies relocating to states with lower taxes and different regulatory environments.

DeSantis also pointed to Mamdani’s recent social media post promoting a proposed tax on high-value secondary homes.

In the post, Mamdani stood outside billionaire Ken Griffin’s penthouse at 220 Central Park South while advocating for Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed pied-à-terre tax on non-resident-owned properties worth more than $5 million.

Ron DeSantis links leadership to migration patterns

With the rise of progressive policies within the Democratic Party, DeSantis argued that wealth creators are increasingly being targeted through taxation and political messaging.

He repeated his criticism of Mamdani, suggesting such leadership is benefiting Florida. “If you wanted to give realtor the year, I wouldn’t pick anybody in Florida,” DeSantis said.

“I would pick mayors in New York, in Chicago and some of these governors, they’re basically the best ambassadors for Florida that we could ever ask for. And we’ve seen it, and people have voted with their feet.”

Ron DeSantis leaves door open for 2028 run

Asked whether he is considering another presidential run in 2028, DeSantis said he remains open to the possibility.

“Who knows? Like, you never know,” DeSantis said. “I’m in my mid-forties You know, maybe beyond that, I think that there’s a lot of runway.”

DeSantis also highlighted Florida’s economic growth, saying the state’s economy has expanded from $1 trillion to $1.8 trillion during his tenure. He added that school choice has become universal and crime has dropped to a 50-year low.

“So we’ve got a good story to tell,” DeSantis said. “And we’re proud of the leadership.”