New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew widespread criticism Thursday after urging residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees as the city grappled with a sweltering heat wave that pushed temperatures to feel as high as 112 degrees, according to official warnings.
The mayor posted the guidance on X, writing: 'Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can.' Mamdani framed the request as part of broader city efforts to reduce strain on the power grid during peak demand. The post was viewed more than 36 million times.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics accused Mamdani of government overreach and embraced social media mockery that labeled him a communist for suggesting thermostat settings. Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt posted: 'Show us your thermostat, commie.' Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy wrote: 'Welcome to communism people! Hope you enjoy!'
Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded: 'Turns out socialism actually isn't free,' while Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas posted: 'Welcome to socialism, where the government demands you turn your house into a sauna because they can't plan for the super unpredictable fact that it tends to get hot in the summer.' Conservative commentator Matt Walsh wrote: '78 degrees? My AC does not go above 68 in the summer. This is America for God's sake.'
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of Mamdani's administration pointed to the practical necessity behind the guidance. The mayor's office emphasized that the recommendation applied to city-owned buildings as well, where officials said they were maintaining the same temperature standard and powering down non-essential equipment. A statement from City Hall noted that reducing peak electricity demand helps ensure air conditioning remains operational across the grid, preventing wider outages that could affect vulnerable residents without cooling access.
Mamdani's supporters argued the heat emergency required collective action and noted the guidance was advisory rather than mandatory. The mayor has positioned himself as championing working-class New Yorkers, and his allies said the focus on grid stability protects residents who cannot afford to run multiple cooling devices simultaneously during peak pricing hours.
What the Numbers Show
The heat wave prompted New York City to expand emergency cooling measures, with city officials warning temperatures could feel as high as 112 degrees during peak afternoon hours. Mamdani's post garnered over 36.5 million views on X within 24 hours of posting. The mayor has seen a political ascent in recent weeks, with his endorsed slate of candidates winning all their primary races last week. Following those victories, former Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to Mamdani by phone, according to reports.
The Bottom Line
The incident illustrates the political challenges facing Mamdani as he navigates both the practical realities of governing a major city during extreme weather events and his reputation as an avowed socialist in one of America's largest municipalities. While the mayor's office framed the AC guidance as collaborative crisis management, critics argued it exemplified broader government overreach into private homes. The episode comes as Mamdani has emerged as a potential kingmaker in future Democratic presidential politics, with last week's primary victories and his reported communication with Harris signaling expanded influence within the party ahead of 2028.