Mamdani's latest freebie sets off online fury as critics rip city priorities: 'Opera socialism'
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a plan last week to give away 70,000 free tickets to the Metropolitan Opera House, firing up critics on social media who argue...
By Fox News · Fox News
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a plan last week to give away 70,000 free tickets to the Metropolitan Opera House, firing up critics on social media who argue there are more pressing issues facing New Yorkers. "Opera for All," a partnership between the city and the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, will allow New Yorkers who have never attended a performance to enter a monthly lottery for tickets to productions ranging from Macbeth to La Bohème, according to a press release from the mayor's office. A spokesperson for Mamdani's office told Fox News Digital the city is not paying for the program. The Metropolitan Opera is donating tickets from its pool of unsold seats, representing about 10% of its seasonal capacity, while the city will help promote and distribute them. In a video announcing the latest giveaway, Mamdani appeared alongside the cast of La Bohème, telling viewers that "every New Yorker should have the opportunity to see this no matter how much money is in their pocket." He also highlighted former New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's "People's Opera," which was founded in 1943 to offer affordable tickets before filing for bankruptcy in 2013 and relaunching in 2016. GROCERS ISSUE WARNING OVER MAMDANI’S TAXPAYER-BACKED STORES: 'WE'RE GOING TO GO AFTER' THEM "This art form was meant to be seen by everyone," he said. While many liberals have touted Mamdani's move, conservatives on social media were quick to ridicule Mamdani's announcement , which was viewed over 6 million times on X, calling it a case of misplaced priorities. In a post on X , former Los Angeles mayoral candidate and reality TV star Spencer Pratt wrote, "Prior generations of billionaires gave endowments to the arts. Today’s autistic billionaires ignore culture and spend all their philanthropy fixated on the fecundity of peasants 10K miles away, then are baffled by why they’re so hated here & can’t get data centers approved." MAMDANI'S AFFORDABILITY REVOLUTION STUMBLED…