Fact Check: Gristedes CEO threatens to close stores if socialist candidate wins NYC mayor race.

Fact Check: Gristedes CEO Threatens to Close Stores if Socialist Candidate Wins NYC Mayor Race

What We Know

Billionaire John Catsimatidis, the CEO of Gristedes, has publicly stated that he would consider closing or selling his grocery chain if Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race. Catsimatidis expressed concerns about Mamdani's proposal to open city-run supermarkets, which he believes would make it difficult for private businesses to compete. He remarked, “We can’t compete with Mamdani opening city-run supermarkets for free” (source-1). Furthermore, he indicated that if corporate taxes were increased, he might need to relocate his business operations to New Jersey (source-2).

Mamdani's campaign includes plans for government-operated grocery stores aimed at reducing food costs, which has drawn criticism from various business leaders, including Catsimatidis. He also mentioned that he would spend less time in New York if Mamdani were elected, suggesting a significant change in his business strategy (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Catsimatidis threatened to close Gristedes stores is substantiated by multiple sources. Both the New York Post and Fox Business reported on his statements, which were made in response to Mamdani's proposals. Catsimatidis's comments reflect a genuine concern among some business leaders regarding the implications of Mamdani's policies, which they perceive as potentially detrimental to private enterprise (source-1, source-2).

Catsimatidis is a prominent figure in New York City politics and has previously run for mayor, which adds weight to his statements as they are likely to reflect broader business sentiments in the city (source-3). However, it is important to note that while his threats may resonate with certain business communities, they could also be seen as a strategic move to influence public opinion against Mamdani’s candidacy.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this claim is generally high, as they are established news outlets with a history of political reporting. However, it is essential to recognize potential biases, particularly in how the statements are framed. For instance, the framing of Mamdani's proposals as "socialist" may evoke negative connotations among certain audiences, which could influence the interpretation of Catsimatidis's comments.

Conclusion

The claim that Gristedes CEO John Catsimatidis threatened to close stores if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the NYC mayoral race is True. Catsimatidis explicitly stated his concerns about competing with city-run supermarkets and indicated that he would consider drastic measures, including closing or selling his business, should Mamdani's policies come to fruition.

Sources

1. John Catsimatidis threatens to close Gristedes if Zohran Mamdani ...
2. John Catsimatidis will close NYC grocery stores if socialist candidate ...
3. Gristedes grocery owner threatens to leave New York City
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5. Grocery Chain Threatens to Close All Stores if NYC Elects Socialist Mayor
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