So much for the man of the people schtick that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani pushed heavily while campaigning for office.

The self-avowed democratic socialist jetted down to Puerto Rico for the annual SOMOS political retreat along with Gov. Kathy Hochul, where he co-hosted a cocktail reception for indicted Attorney General Letitia James — not surprisingly, chants of “tax the rich” broke out at the event.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) spoke with Fox News Digital about Mamdani’s visit to a posh resort in San Juan during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

“If Zohran Mamdani is truly serious about helping working families, he wouldn’t be jetting off to a luxury resort the moment he wins an election,” Lawler said.

“It’s a disgrace — and why New Yorkers are leaving this state in droves. I’m calling on every reporter covering SOMOS to demand answers from these Democrats,” he added. “Ask them why they’re partying in Puerto Rico while New Yorkers are suffering through an affordability crisis and a government shutdown. The public deserves to know where their priorities really lie.”

The GOP lawmaker shared a video clip of an appearance on Newsmax on X, posting: “Since we’re talking about an affordability crisis and are currently in the middle of a government shutdown, it’s embarrassing, quite frankly, to see Mayor-elect Mamdani and Governor Hochul, among other New York Democrats, flying down to Puerto Rico to pop bottles of champagne to celebrate while New Yorkers suffer.”

Since we’re talking about an affordability crisis and are currently in the middle of a government shutdown, it’s embarrassing, quite frankly, to see Mayor-elect Mamdani and Governor Hochul, among other New York Democrats, flying down to Puerto Rico to pop bottles of champagne to… pic.twitter.com/joWs9P8t6V

— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) November 6, 2025

Fox Business journalist Elizabeth MacDonald shared a few details about the El Caribe Hilton resort Mamdani is staying at in a post on X.

“Socialist communist Zohran Mamdani joining Dems now jetting to a luxury hotel in Puerto Rico w 17 acres of tropical landscaping, nine restaurants, spa, tennis courts and ocean-front pool complex, all on the beach,” she wrote.

There has been a lot of back and forth over whether Mamdani is a communist, but U.S. Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.) moved past the splitting of hairs in a post of his own.

“I’m the only Member of Congress born in [Cuba]. My family was forced from home after the Communist takeover — I recognize the extremists when I see them,” Gimenez said. “Mamdani is a Marxist & we need to fight that much harder to stop this fringe Democrat experiment for America!”

BREAKING —> I’m the only Member of Congress born in #Cuba.

My family was forced from home after the Communist takeover — I recognize the extremists when I see them.

Mamdani is a Marxist & we need to fight that much harder to stop this fringe Democrat experiment for America! pic.twitter.com/lUws7eg59Q

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) November 6, 2025

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

Since we’re talking about an affordability crisis and are currently in the middle of a government shutdown, it’s embarrassing, quite frankly, to see Mayor-elect Mamdani and Governor Hochul, among other New York Democrats, flying down to Puerto Rico to pop bottles of champagne to…

— JV (@joveg8) November 6, 2025

You get what you vote for… especially if you reject voter verification

— Emi (@QbanRuby) November 6, 2025

Yet, @TSA workers and @united @Delta @AmericanairAsap and their families are suffering! Democrats are traveling with no hardships and just shot down a bill presented by the @GOP @SenateGOP to

— ElBigote (@DonElBigote) November 6, 2025

Zohran Mamdani is promising to tax “white neighborhoods” at a higher rate.

How is this not racist and illegal? pic.twitter.com/OQazWHhqpq

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) November 5, 2025

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Tom Tillison

Senior Staff Writer
Tom@bizpacreview.com

The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

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