Trump supporter billionaire Bill Ackman, who praised Donald Trump as the “most pro-business president we’ve ever had,” criticized Democratic Socialist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, as the country marks its 250th anniversary.
[NOTE: Mamdani has vowed to “tax the rich,” including billionaires like Ackman, saying, “we see a nation whose immense wealth has been built with those with calloused, dirt-streaked hands, those who toil on factory floors and chisel into stone. And we see a nation that has allowed so much of the wealth to be held instead in soft hands of a precious few.”]
Ackman responded to Mamdani’s speech on social media: “The best evidence that @NYCMayor Mamdani has not held a job is the fact that he is sitting on the wrong side of the desk. And listen to his words. On a day when we, and in particular, our leaders should be celebrating the 250 years of our nation’s history, he attacks us and what makes our country great. Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists are grave threats to our present and our future.”
The best evidence that @NYCMayor Mamdani has not held a job is the fact that he is sitting on the wrong side of the desk.
And listen to his words. On a day when we, and in particular, our leaders should be celebrating the 250 years of our nation’s history, he attacks us and… https://t.co/POFtZ2GnrW
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 3, 2026
Community Notes corrected Ackman’s accusation that the Mayor is sitting on the wrong side of that historic George Washington desk at New York City Hall: “It is a partners desk open on both sides. It was designed so two people can sit facing each other as equals.”
One X user shared an image of the painting titled The Foundation of American Government by New York artist Henry Hintermeister, which depicts a scene during the Constitutional Convention and features Washington at the desk while other founding fathers sign the U.S. Constitution.
Here’s a painting of Washington at his desk doing it wrong apparently. pic.twitter.com/IZOmlhqMbC
— Mac the Lefty (@ColinTheLefty) July 4, 2026
One self-described MAGA supporter chimed in with the correction: “I suspect that is a ‘partners’ desk and has drawers, etc. on the other side. There are nooks on both sides of the desk suggesting that it can be shared by two people. Doesn’t mean he isn’t stupid, but just my observation.”
If you find yourself on Lake Como, our family’s favorite restaurant is Navedano, https://t.co/exbxgtFZnt a family-owned, beautiful restaurant set in spectacular gardens with superb food at reasonable prices.
You will love it. pic.twitter.com/YR4udAoxaA
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 3, 2026
[NOTE: On Friday, July 3, when Ackman shared the photo below of him and his wife in Lake Como, Italy, several X users inquired about Ackman’s wrist watch, which he reported is a Bremont Altitude Perpetual Calendar Titanium. The UK-made watch retails for about $38,000.]
Bremont Altitude Perpetual Calendar Titanium. Rugged. I dropped it on a stone floor last week and it is perfect. pic.twitter.com/i4GQ3qsuDA
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 3, 2026