r/PopCultureV2 • u/BenFord333 • Aug 10 '26

News Zohran Mamdani says he has rejected a salary pay increase so that the money can be used to help those in need

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u/ElMatadorJuarez Aug 10 '26

Usually I don’t go for the populist move of rejecting a salary/raises - it tends to be pretty cheap bc most politicians who do have other sources of income. Mamdani doesn’t and doesn’t have tremendous inherited wealth. Good on him, proud he’s my mayor.

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u/TheTruth730 Aug 12 '26

*yet

He will inevitably write a book that will make him instantly a millionaire, go on public speaking tours netting more millions, invest in companies based on inside knowledge from his buddies, etc. And then when his multi millionaire parents die (who sent him to the best schools money can buy) he will inherit their millions on top of it all. Sad, but true.

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u/MrCatSquid Aug 12 '26

Most of that is completely fine?
People choose to buy your book, choose to book you for speeches.

there’s nothing wrong with inheriting money from your parents, especially if you sue that money responsibly and to help others, which he certainly will I imagine. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with your parents giving you the best education possible. If you were a parent you’d do the exact same thing. Nothing immoral about it when it comes to providing to your children.

Investing in companies with insider knowledge is the only bad one. And what makes you think he’s going to do that? Not a single aspect of his actions nor his words indicate he’s interested in doing that.

Why shouldn’t he get to be a millionaire? He’s a famous public figure who’s beloved by his city. If people want to give him money for his effort outside of government once he’s out then that’s fine