New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's request for residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees Fahrenheit to ease strain on the power grid during an expected heatwave has ignited strong criticism from some Republican politicians, who have characterized the guidance as socialist or communistic.
Mamdani announced the recommendation on social media, urging New Yorkers to conserve energy by setting AC units to 78 degrees, turning off unused lights and electronics, and unplugging non-essential devices. He stated that the city itself would implement similar measures in its buildings to maintain a stable grid and ensure continued cooling during peak demand.
"A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let’s ease demand — and get through the heat — together," Mamdani wrote on X. He also noted that the city would be maintaining the 78-degree rule in its buildings and dimming or turning off lights during peak electricity demand.
Despite similar recommendations from entities like the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the pronouncements from Mamdani, identified by some as a democratic socialist, prompted accusations of creeping socialism and communism from several Republican figures.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina tweeted, "First AOC tried to come for your steak and ribs and now the Socialist Democrats are coming for your AC. This is the future that WOKE Democrats want not just for NYC but for South Carolina too!" Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, commented, "This is what socialism looks like, folks. The right answer isn’t restrictions or mandates. It’s drilling, fracking, coal, & nuclear. That’s how we’ll roll in Ohio."
Other prominent Republicans joining the criticism included Brandon Gill, who tweeted, "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." Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also posted, "Communism always goes the same way. They smile & promise you the world. Free this, free that, abundance for all! How? Don't ask! Then they get into power, and the rationing begins."
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas faced a community note on his post when he attempted to criticize Mamdani's request, as the note pointed out that Texas makes the same recommendation. Elise Stefanik tweeted, "This is the stark scarcity of Socialism. New York is a state of extraordinary abundance in energy, power, and natural resources. Yet it is only because of the failed policies crushing our state’s energy independence that we have to settle for this Third World scarcity."
Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also weighed in, stating, "This is the worst campaign ad for the Democrats. Set your air to 78 degrees? Bless your hearts New York City!! American energy should be so strong and plentiful that you never have to set it above 70 if you don’t feel like it." Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also drew criticism for invoking socialism, only for a receipt to surface showing she made a similar recommendation in 2015.