NYC Mayor's Heatwave AC Plea Sparks 'Socialism' Accusations from Republicans

A request by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani asking residents to set their air conditioners to 78°F (25.6°C) during a dangerous heatwave has sparked a political row, with Republicans accusing him of promoting "socialism."

As NY faced extreme temperatures with the heat index expected to reach 110°F (43.3°C), Mamdani urged residents to help reduce pressure on the city's electricity grid.

He wrote: "New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off our lights during peak electricity demand, asking private partners to do the same, and powering down non-essential equipment. A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let's ease demand and get through the heat together."

In a separate message, Mamdani also warned residents about the worsening heat. He said: "New York, this heat wave is only just beginning. Please stay prepared and informed as these dangerously high temperatures continue. Tomorrow’s heat index is expected to reach 110. Plan for extreme temperatures. Drink more water than usual. Reach out to vulnerable neighbors who may need help finding resources. Seek air conditioning whenever possible and find cooling center locations."

The appeal drew backlash from Republican politicians across the country, many of whom linked the request to socialism. Former DOGE leader Vivek Ramaswamy wrote: "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."

Former US ambassador Nikki Haley also weighed in, writing: "Welcome to socialism".

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who parted ways with Trump administration, mocked the guidance, saying: "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. And this comes from the Deep South in Georgia!!"

Senator Ted Cruz also criticised the move, posting: "In a first-world country, you could turn on the A/C…."

However, social media users were pointed out that Cruz's home state of Texas has made similar requests on several occasions during periods of high electricity demand.

The criticism came as New York entered a multi-day spell of extreme heat that is forecast to continue through the holiday weekend. Officials have warned that heavy use of air conditioning could place additional strain on the city's power grid during peak hours.

Recent guidance from the US department of energy recommends setting air conditioners between 75°F and 78°F (23.9°C to 25.6°C) for efficiency, while suggesting the temperature can be increased further when no one is at home.