The Post-Journal
Zohran Mamdani vs. Elon Musk
Nov 15, 2025
Rolland Kidder
A member of my family suggested that it might be timely to write an article about these two polar opposites whose names have recently been in the news.
“Diversity” has become a bad name for some, but the
juxtaposition of these two men between what is called “democratic socialism”
and “capitalism” would seem to meet that definition.
To be honest, by way of full disclosure, in discussing
a comparison of Mamdani and Musk–I must acknowledge that I own no Tesla Stock,
but I do have two grandchildren living in New York who supported the newly
elected Mayor of New York.
The comparison of the two men is quite stark–an
anti-government, Republican activist remembered for his “chain saw” cutting and
gutting of federal agencies vs. a liberal Democrat and fervent believer that
government can be an effective force for good, specifically as it relates to
the cost of living in New York.
Another difference between the two is personal
compensation. The Mayor of the City of New York receives an annual salary of
$258,000, with an option of living in a government-owned house at Gracie
Mansion. The CEO of Tesla lives in a personally owned, gated compound in
Austin, Texas, receives millions in compensation and will be compensated with
an additional $1 Trillion Dollar bonus if he can meet some aggressive growth
targets for his company.
On the basis of raw experience, I think you have to
give Elon Musk the edge. He has proven himself to be an effective CEO in
Corporate America. He runs multiple companies and Tesla Corporation is now
valued at more than Ford, GM and Chrysler combined.
The most telling criticism of Mamdani has been about
his youth and lack of experience. As he, I was a member of the New York State
Assembly and can attest that it is not typically a proven training ground for
corporate executives or, for that matter, in leading a city of 8 million
people.
But, on the matter of understanding people and
politics, despite being young, you have to give the edge to Mamdani. He
understood the electorate’s desire for affordable living, whereas Musk failed
to realize that for many Americans, the institutions that he was destroying in
Washington were important to them.
It was obvious that the citizens of New York did not
buy the argument of President Trump that Mamdani was a “communist.” Most New
Yorkers who have been around as long as Trump has, know that Democrats in the
City of New York have always been at odds: reformers vs. regulars, liberals vs.
moderates. The so-called Democratic Socialists are the new reform/liberal wing
of the Democratic Party.
As to who will succeed more–Mamdani or Musk–only time
will tell. But, I think the challenge will be greatest for Mamdani. Many of his
promises as to free busing or lower rents…are issues that will require the
acquiescence of others, either in Albany or perhaps even from Washington.
Yet, it is clear that Mamdani has won the political
contest with Musk. He got 2 million people to vote for him. Though spending
millions, Musk could not muster enough support to beat a Democratic state judge
in Wisconsin, and he eventually became so politically toxic for the Republicans
that he was quietly eased out of Washington.
I would think that, going forward, the odds makers in
Las Vegas will give the political/governmental edge to Mamdani. The
capitalist/business edge will stay with Musk. Diversity in America is alive and
well !
Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.
