After telling Amazon users that if we ran Amazon like New York City runs its School system, packages would take weeks to reach; Jeff Bezos now tells New York mayor: Best way to put money in people's pockets is ...

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has weighed in on New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new government efficiency initiative, days after the two sparred publicly over taxing the wealthy. Recently, Bezos criticised New York City’s public school spending and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s economic policies. He argued that increased funding alone does not solve the underlying issues. During an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bezos compared the city’s education system with Amazon’s operations, saying inefficiencies in public administration would not be tolerated in business. “If we ran Amazon the way New York City runs their school system, your packages would take six weeks to arrive. We’d have to charge you a $100 delivery fee. And then when the package did finally arrive, it’d have the wrong item in it anyway,” Bezos told CNBC.

He followed up by clashing with Mamdani over billionaire taxes, arguing that raising taxes on the wealthy would not materially improve life for working-class residents. Mamdani countered: “I know a few teachers in Queens who would beg to differ.”

Jeff Bezos backs Mamdani’s efficiency commission

On May 28, Mamdani announced the creation of COGE — the Commission on Government Efficiency which is aimed at making city government ‘work smarter, faster, and more effectively for working people.’

“This morning we are introducing COGE — the Commission on Government Efficiency. This Commission will find ways for our city to work smarter, faster, and more effectively for working people.New Yorkers deserve a city government as careful with their money as they are,” wrote Mamdani in a post on X.

“COGE will hold hearings in every borough and meet with union members, community organizers, and working people who will shape how we build a more responsive and accountable government. The future of this city will be built by all of us, together,” added Mamdani.

Appreciating the initiative, Bezos shared the mayor’s post on X, writing: “This is great and they do deserve that.” He added, “And, with some of the savings, we can zero out taxes on the bottom half of earners. The best way to put money in people’s pockets is not to take it out in the first place.”

The exchange comes amid heated debate over New York’s affordability agenda. Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have backed a proposed pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes worth $5 million or more, which they say could generate hundreds of millions annually for city programs. Bezos, meanwhile, has consistently argued that efficiency and lower taxes for working-class households are more effective than taxing billionaires.