Whoopi Goldberg is looking back on her decision to support New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani with a very different perspective, saying in a podcast appearance that she now regrets backing him.
Goldberg said her opinion changed after considering the potential impact of Mamdani’s policies on taxpayers, particularly people who have spent decades working, saving and investing.
“Not a single day goes by without me regretting my decision to support Zohran Mamdani,” Goldberg said.
The actress said she is especially concerned about taxes and what she described as an increasing burden on people who have built their financial lives through years of hard work.
“I don’t like being heavily taxed when I’ve invested in something with my hard-earned money,” Goldberg said. “Mr. Mayor is coming after my money.”
Goldberg said she initially believed some of Mamdani’s ideas could benefit New York City. She acknowledged that she once viewed his proposals as a potential opportunity for the city to try something different.
But according to her account, that enthusiasm did not last.
“On top of the heavy taxes, there’s also the issue of communism,” she said. “At first, we thought that maybe a little communism would be good for the city and for us, but over time, we realized how much of a problem it is.”
The comments marked a dramatic change in tone from the support Goldberg once expressed.
She said the experience had made her reconsider how she evaluates political candidates and their promises, particularly when those promises could eventually affect taxes and personal finances.
Goldberg argued that voters should pay close attention to what politicians intend to do after winning an election rather than focusing exclusively on campaign messages.
“I think you have to look at what happens after the election,” she said. “It’s easy to make promises when you’re asking people for their votes. It’s different when those policies start affecting your wallet.”
The actress also said that her concerns are not limited to wealthy New Yorkers. In her view, higher taxes can affect anyone who has worked hard to build savings or invest in property and other assets.
“You work your whole life, you save your money, you invest, and then suddenly somebody tells you they need more of it,” Goldberg said. “That doesn’t sit well with me.”
When asked whether she would support Mamdani again, Goldberg gave an unequivocal answer.
“I’ll never vote for that guy again in my life,” she said. “I don’t want unnecessary taxes in my life.”
Goldberg added that changing her political opinion was not something she viewed as embarrassing. She said voters should be willing to admit when their expectations do not match reality.
“You can support somebody and later decide you were wrong,” she said. “There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind when you see where things are going.”
The podcast comments put Goldberg in a dramatically different position from her earlier support for Mamdani and provide another example of how political alliances can change over time.
For now, Goldberg says she has learned a simple lesson from the experience: When it comes to politics, she intends to look much more closely at the price tag before casting her next vote.
