Abbott will impose a special tax on New Yorkers who move to Texas after having voted for Mamdani.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott sparked controversy by declaring that he would impose a "100% tariff" on any New Yorker who relocates to Texas after the polls close in New York City's municipal elections.

"After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving from New York to Texas," Abbott wrote Monday on social network X, on the eve of one of the country's most closely watched local elections.

Although many interpreted the message as irony aimed at New York's political and economic climate, the post sparked debate on social media and national outlets. According to the United States Constitution, only the federal government has the authority to impose tariffs or trade duties, so the comment would have no legal effect.

An election with national impact

Abbott's message coincided with a key election day: New York was electing its new mayor in a race that drew nationwide attention.

The race pitted socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner in the polls, against independent Andrew Cuomo, former state governor, and Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels group.

President Donald Trump intervened directly in the campaign and expressed his support for Andrew Cuomo through Truth Social, emphasizing that he is "the only one with the necessary experience" to prevent the city's collapse. "Like it or not, Andrew Cuomo, there is no choice: you must vote for him and hope he does a great job. He is capable of doing it; Mamdani is not," Trump wrote.

He also warned that he could suspend federal funds allocated to New York—except for the minimums required by law—if the socialist Mamdani were elected. "It can only get worse with a communist in charge, and I don't want to send, as president, good money after bad," the president stated. 

The background of Abbott's message

Although Abbott's announcement has no legal basis, his post reinforces a narrative the governor has maintained for months: Texas as a destination for investments, jobs, and families fleeing states with progressive policies.

Abbott has insisted that the mass arrival of New Yorkers and Californians "demonstrates the success of the Texas model", although he often warns new residents "not to bring with them the policies that ruined their home states."

At the close of the count, official data confirmed that Zohran Mamdani prevailed in the election for New York mayor, thus consolidating his victory as the socialist candidate. His triumph marks a significant shift in the city's political direction and underscores the symbolic magnitude of Greg Abbott's earlier announcement.