Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Zohran Mamdani on NYC Mayor's Office transcripts.
Passages
The two most valuable things to parents are time and money. And we wanted to give them back a little bit of that. And so, we created a night where parents could finally go out for that date that they've been putting off. Some of them for years. And they could know that they wouldn't have to shell out for a babysitter. And we also were able to shift public opinion. We had a 6-year-old by the name of Wyatt who was crying when he was dropped off. And by the time the night was done, he didn't want to leave.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, we've seen examples of versions of this across the country. One of the prime examples, though, is what the federal government has done for military service members. They have discounted groceries available for them to purchase at about a 23 percent discount. I think the key thing to us, whether it's potholes or groceries or child care, it's what are working-class New Yorkers struggling with? And when you hear from working-class New Yorkers, you hear that groceries have gone up 30 percent since the pandemic. And this is a non-negotiable. You need food to eat to live in a city that you call your home. And so, what we're going to do is deliver five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough. And we're going to have a 30 percent discount on the essentials that you need to live a healthy life in this city.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceIf four minutes was enough for Madonna to save the world, I think 10 minutes is enough to do your business.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think people are having a very difficult time in this country right now. And in this city, this is the most expensive city in the United States of America. People are struggling. And I have the privilege of having the greatest job in the world. And whatever I can do to make it easier for people to smile every day, that's something I want to do.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceLook, I got to be honest with you. I want to take some responsibility here. When I talked about sewer socialism, I didn't think people were going to go into the sewer to find socialism. So, if that's why you're going, please don't. You'll find it on the street. And if that's not why you're going, also, please don't.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceBut I think, look, the president and I have many disagreements. One thing we do agree on is the city [and] how much we love the city. And so, from that first meeting in November of last year, I was just thinking of how can we make this meeting not about us, but about New Yorkers? How can we spend that time talking about the things that could make life in this city that little bit easier? And that's what it's been, whether we've met at the White House or at Gracie Mansion.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, the number one thing that we've been speaking about recently has been Sunnyside Yard. Which is this idea for decades of building a platform over a rail yard. And then building 12,000 homes. And so, in that moment that you zoomed in on, I'm just thinking about 12,000 homes, 30,000 jobs, [and the] largest housing development since the early 1970s. I haven't.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceFrom time to time, we're in communication. And it's about Sunnyside Yard. It's about how do we deliver for the city. One of the other things the president mentioned that we spoke about was that I care very deeply about Haitian New Yorkers. And they've had their protected status ended. And I really believe that we need to do whatever we can to make sure that they have stability. They're a part of the fabric of the city. It's an ongoing conversation. But it's one that whenever there's a chance to make the case for people of New York, I'm going to make it.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceJimmy, I love you, but I love housing more. Hit me.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, we actually recently announced that we are actually going to be repairing the part of the BQE. No, no. We as politicians speak for all the people who do the work. City workers.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceYep, we're going to be putting a multi-billion-dollar plan to actually repair the part the city owns. Which is the part that is currently the most at risk. And that's going to be proceeding over the next ten years: full safety, no diversion of traffic into local neighborhoods. And actually, bring it back up to speed.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceYou know, it's three words for me always. It's New York City.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source
Every passage above is taken from this recording: NYC Mayor's Office transcripts, Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live.