Trump Slams NYC Council's Vote to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

Former President Donald Trump has strongly criticized the New York City Council's recent decision to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park, a tradition spanning over 150 years. The council voted 40-7 to pass a bill that will end the practice by June 2028.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump, a New York native, expressed sadness over the phasing out of the "beloved Central Park Horse-drawn Carriage Industry." He questioned the council's rationale, drawing a parallel to car accidents in the city, which do not lead to cars being banned from the park. "It was a great tradition. Another piece of history that's gone. It will be missed!," he stated.

Trump further asserted that the decision was made "for political reasons" and lamented the loss of a "quintessential New York experience."

Transition Plan and Opposition

The legislation, which gained momentum after the death of an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, last spring, mandates Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office to develop a plan by next April to assist the more than 150 drivers and other industry workers in finding new employment. The plan is expected to include job referrals, career counseling, and educational opportunities, with the administration also considering forms of compensation. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that the mayor intends to sign the bill and that efforts are underway to protect industry workers and owners.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who supported the ban, stated that the legislation aims to provide a firm deadline for the city to address the future of displaced carriage drivers. She argued that horses no longer have a place among the increasing number of pedestrians, cyclists, and tourists in Central Park.

The union representing carriage drivers has indicated its intention to file a legal challenge upon the bill's enactment. Betsy Smith, head of the Central Park Conservancy, supported the bill, citing safety risks posed by carriages to visitors, drivers, and horses in the modern era.

Historical Context

Previous mayoral administrations have attempted to end the horse-drawn carriage industry. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign pledge to end the rides on day one of his term did not materialize amid opposition. His successor, Eric Adams, also proposed a ban late in his term, but the initiative did not advance.

The latest push for the ban was intensified in June following Mahajan's death. His family has vocally advocated for an end to the rides, with his uncle, Gaurav Mahajan, expressing that the "hour of justice has finally arrived." He described their fight as channeling their grief into a "war for change."

Carriage drivers, while expressing sympathy for Mahajan's family, argue they are being unfairly targeted due to a single incident. Christina Hansen, a carriage driver and industry spokesperson, raised concerns about the lack of concrete provisions for alternative employment and how drivers will manage financially during their job search.