DeSantis Proposes Border Measures Amid NYC Socialist Election Fears

By James Morley III | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 04:24 PM EST
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared an online survey on Tuesday seeking input from state residents on how to address New Yorkers relocating following the election of Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City.

“Floridians — response to the Mamdani election in NYC should be to: Build an FL border wall, Tariff all transplants, Recruit new transplants,” DeSantis posted on X.

The survey followed a statement from Republican Florida state Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who wrote, “Florida should tariff everyone fleeing NYC, Gov @RonDeSantis.” A day earlier, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned that New Yorkers attempting to move to Texas would face a 100% tariff if Mamdani’s election as mayor was confirmed. Abbott did not clarify enforcement details but noted the statement gained traction among other Republican leaders.

A week before Election Day, Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicted Mamdani would become “the future of the Democratic Party.” DeSantis responded, “Assuming he gets elected, Mamdani will be the most prominent Democrat in America the day he takes office,” adding that voters nationwide would witness his leftist agenda and recognize its alignment with national Democratic policies.

President Donald Trump echoed similar rhetoric during a speech at the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, claiming New York City would become a refuge for those fleeing “communism” under Mamdani’s leadership. He warned of a broader trend toward transforming America into a “communist Cuba or a socialist Venezuela,” citing the fates of those nations.