Lina Khan Joins Zohran Mamdani's Transition Team as Co-Chair

Lina Khan was appointed as one of the four co-chairs of New York City mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team, according to a statement from his campaign. Khan, a former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, has been an ally of Mamdani's, praising his outreach to small business owners in a New York Times op-ed. Her appointment sends a message to Wall Street and the tech industry, whose most powerful players have already been critical of Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who has criticized billionaires and proposed a 2% tax on incomes over $1 million. Khan described Mamdani's victory as a clear mandate for change, where New Yorkers can get ahead and where all workers and small businesses can thrive, not just get by. In a speech on Wednesday, Khan said, "What we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outsized corporate power and money too often end up dictating our politics." Khan's appointment is seen as a significant move, as she has been a vocal critic of corporate power and has advocated for stricter regulations on tech companies. Mamdani's campaign was opposed by several high-profile figures, including Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and investors like Bill Ackman and Mike Bloomberg, who each spent millions of dollars to advocate for former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani's proposals, including the 2% tax on high-income earners, were seen as a threat to the interests of these powerful players. Khan's background as a former FTC chair and her experience in advocating for stricter regulations on tech companies make her a key figure in Mamdani's transition team. Her appointment is seen as a signal that Mamdani's administration will prioritize the interests of small businesses and workers over those of large corporations. As Mamdani's transition team begins to take shape, it remains to be seen how his administration will address the concerns of Wall Street and the tech industry. However, with Khan at the helm, it is clear that Mamdani's administration will prioritize the interests of New Yorkers over those of corporate interests.